Stakeholders in maternal health on Wednesday urged the Lagos State Government to accelerate the adoption of the Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) innovations.
They made the call at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Centre for Integrated Health Programmes (CIHP) in Lagos.
They said RMNCH was essential and has been embraced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
RMNCH covers the health concerns and interventions of women before and during pregnancy.
It also caters for newborns’ first 28 days of life and children to their fifth birthday.
The Chief Executive Officer, of CIHP, Dr Bola Oyeledun, called for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector in the next year’s budget to ensure RMNCH adoption.
Oyeladun also lauded the state government’s success in reducing maternal mortality.
Similarly, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, National President, of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) urged religious leaders to desist from discouraging pregnant women from giving birth through cesarean section (CS).
Ogu said CS is a lifesaving method of delivery and dispelled the myth that only weak women give birth through CS.
She also appealed to faith-based midwives to always refer pregnant women to the hospital rather than allow them to struggle during delivery, which may lead to death.
According to her, most maternal mortality cases in mosques, churches or traditional birth attendant homes could have been averted if handled by professional health officials.
The MWAN president urged pregnant women to take ownership of their safety during childbirth.
“Safe delivery can only be guaranteed when handled by trained and skilled health personnel.
“Medical personnel should also show empathy for those in labour and act according to their oath of allegiance,” she said.
She called for increased advocacy to break the cultural and spiritual barriers that lead to maternal mortality.
In her address, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, said the state was committed to improved healthcare service delivery for pregnant women.
Ogunyemi said antenatal and delivery, both natural and CS, are free in Lagos state for mothers.
She commended the RMNCH innovations, pledging that the state would review and legalise the policy framework for implementation.
“The focus of the implementing partners and consortium of the RMNCH innovations is to achieve zero maternal, neonatal and child death; no one deserves to die,” she said.
In a paper presentation, a stakeholder, Dr Layi Jaiyeola, identified haemorrhage, infection, malaria, unsafe abortion and anaemia as the major causes of maternal deaths.
Jaiyeola called on the state government to embrace innovations that would advance healthcare delivery.
He said the innovations should be evidence-based and result-oriented to achieve the sustainable development goal of good health and well-being.
Other implementing partners at the event included the Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, TA Connect, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and representatives of religious bodies.
