How to Bridge Gaps in Maternal and Child Health

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Components of Reproductive Health
Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and child health is necessary for any family and community. In Nigeria, many mothers and children suffer serious health problems due to the inadequate provision of healthcare services. Many women die annually during delivery, and many children die due to preventable diseases. These gaps in healthcare must be fixed to save lives and create a healthier future.

The Current State of Maternal and Child Health

Nigeria is among the countries with the world’s highest rates of maternal and child deaths. According to UNICEF, every year, nearly 58,000 Nigerian women die in childbirth. More than 800,000 children die before reaching their fifth birthday. Many of these deaths occur because families lack access to good hospitals, trained doctors, or medicines.

The mothers are the ones who face the most problems. Hospitals are far away, and roads are bad. Some families cannot pay for healthcare, so mothers and children stay home even when they are very sick.

Problems Affecting Maternal and Child Health

  1. Lack of Healthcare Centers: Many areas in Nigeria do not have enough hospitals or clinics.
  2. Shortage of Health Workers: There are not enough doctors, nurses, or midwives to help women and children.
  3. Poor Funding: Only 5.18% of Nigeria’s 2025 budget is for health, far below the 15% target set in the Abuja Declaration.
  4. Cultural Barriers: Some families do not believe women should give birth in hospitals.

Solutions to Improve Maternal and Child Health

  1. Build More Healthcare Centers: The government should build clinics in rural areas to help more families.
  2. Hire and Train Health Workers: Nigeria must train more doctors, nurses, and midwives. Health workers should also be paid well to stop them from leaving the country.
  3. Provide Free Healthcare for Children and Mothers: Families should not have to pay for essential care like immunizations, childbirth, and basic treatments.
  4. Use Technology: Telemedicine can help doctors in cities treat patients in remote areas.

The Role of Immunization in Saving Lives

Vaccines are one of the best ways to save lives. Diseases like measles, pneumonia, and polio can be prevented with vaccines. PAN (Paediatric Association of Nigeria) has trained more than 300 immunization champions across Nigeria. These champions go into communities to teach families about the importance of vaccines.

The result has been amazing. After PAN’s efforts, the average vaccine coverage for the HPV vaccine increased from 80% in 2023 to 96% in 2024. With more advocacy and funding, Nigeria can protect even more children.

The Role of Policymakers in Bridging the Gaps

Policymakers can create laws to improve maternal and child health. For example, they can expand the National Health Insurance Act (NHIA) to include free care for children under five years. They can also fund programs that provide food and medicine for poor families.

Policymakers should work with doctors, nurses, and community leaders to understand the real needs of families. Together, they can create solutions that work for everyone.

How Journalists Can Help

Journalists can tell stories about mothers and children who are suffering from poor healthcare. Such stories would bring awareness and encourage governments and organizations to take action. Journalists also educate families about health programs and services.

Conclusion

Maternal and child health should be a priority for everyone. By building more clinics, training health workers, and funding healthcare, Nigeria can save thousands of lives every year. It is time to take action and close the gaps in healthcare for mothers and children.

Take the next step today! Visit genderpedia.ng/shop to access resources that can help improve maternal and child health in Nigeria.

References

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