Health stakeholders have explained the importance of antenatal care in promoting the well-being of pregnant women and their babies.
The stakeholders highlighted the role of antenatal care in providing nutrition education and reducing pregnancy-related complications.
They said this in an interview Thursday in Abuja.
A recent report by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) revealed that only 60 per cent of pregnant women in Nigeria attend at least one antenatal visit.
The report also said that even a fewer percentage usually complete the recommended four visits.
This gap in access, experts warn, contributes to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the country.
A public health expert, Dr Ojo Olaniyan said that proper antenatal care was vital for ensuring that pregnant women received the guidance needed to make informed health decisions.
“Antenatal care goes beyond routine checkups; it is about empowering women with knowledge on nutrition, managing health conditions, and preparing for childbirth.
“When women have access to these services, they are more likely to have healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries,” Olaniyan said.
A mother of two at the Garki, International Market, FCT, Mrs Mary Adebayo said that antenatal care made all the difference in her second pregnancy.
“With my first child, I did not attend antenatal classes and I struggled with complications. For my second pregnancy, I learned about nutrition and baby care, and my delivery was much smoother,” she said.
However, challenges such as cultural beliefs, lack of transportation, and inadequate health facilities continue to hinder access to antenatal care in many parts of Nigeria.
Experts are calling on the government and development partners to invest in community health initiatives to reach underserved populations.
A nurse, Mrs Rakiya Suleiman called for targeted programmes to raise awareness, particularly in rural areas, where cultural barriers and distance to health centres prevent women from seeking care.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, Suleiman said that antenatal care must remain a cornerstone of maternal health policies.
NAN
