The Academy of Medical Sciences has condemned the high rate of maternal mortality and ongoing epidemic risks, calling for urgent measures to address them.
President of the academy, Prof. Frank Giwa-Osagie, made the remarks in a statement issued by Prof. Mayowa Owolabi, Secretary of the academy, on Thursday in Abuja.
Giwa-Osagie said deaths associated with pregnancy and childbirth, as well as preventable newborn deaths, remained unacceptable.
“There is no need and no justification for the continued loss of lives related to pregnancy and childbirth,” he said.
He added that epidemic risks should be addressed with better preparedness, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and recurring outbreaks such as Ebola and Lassa fever.
The president said the academy would hold its maiden biennial Presidential Colloquium to address maternal mortality, epidemic risks, brain drain, and other challenges facing the healthcare system.
The event, scheduled for July 30 in Lagos, will be held under the theme: “Nigeria’s Health at a Crossroads: Confronting Workforce Shortages, Epidemic Risks and Maternal Mortality.”
He said the colloquium would feature experts discussing measures to strengthen the country’s disease prevention and response systems as well as healthcare delivery.
“Another major issue for deliberation is the continued migration of skilled health professionals, widely known as brain drain, which has depleted Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. Experts will examine the causes of this trend and propose strategies to retain skilled medical personnel in the country,” he said.
He further stated that the academy would present its Rapid Response Committee Initiative and how it could support timely responses to health emergencies nationwide.
Giwa-Osagie said the colloquium would bring together medical experts, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop sustainable recommendations for improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Academy of Medical Sciences is an independent academic body that provides objective advice on medical matters, education, research, and public health.
