Last week, a sad story shocked Nigerians. A pregnant woman in Abuja walked the streets in labour, looking for help. She was carrying twins but could not get the right care on time. This shows the deep problems with maternal care in Nigeria.
A Mother in Labour Turned Away
The woman said the hospital asked her to bring N28,000 and a referral letter before they would admit her. She had no money, so she walked long distances to get the paper. A kind stranger helped her, but by the time she returned, she had lost both babies. This was a preventable tragedy.
This is not an isolated case. In the same week, another mother and her baby died after a caesarean section in Akwa Ibom. These painful stories show that maternal care is failing many women in Nigeria.
The State of Maternal Care in Nigeria
Nigeria has one of the highest maternal and newborn death rates in the world. The global goal is to reduce maternal deaths to less than 70 per 100,000 births. Nigeria is still very far from reaching this.
Even in the capital city, where care should be best, mothers are still dying. This means the maternal care system is broken across the country.
Why the System Fails Mothers
One major problem is the referral system. Women must run from one clinic to another for papers before they get help. This wastes time and puts lives at risk. If health records were digital and linked, this woman would not have needed to walk kilometres while in labour.
Another problem is money. Many women cannot afford basic hospital fees. Without health insurance or financial support, they are denied maternal care at the time they need it most.
High-Risk Pregnancies Need Special Care
Twin pregnancies are high-risk. They need close monitoring, proper food, and quick medical attention. The woman in Abuja was clearly weak and undernourished. Poor nutrition increases the risks for both mother and baby. Better antenatal care and nutrition support could have saved her twins.
What Needs to Change
To improve maternal care, Nigeria must:
- Strengthen referral systems with digital records.
- Reduce hospital costs through health insurance.
- Provide better nutrition for mothers.
- Make sure every maternal death is reviewed and used to improve care.
- Train health workers and expand successful programmes like the Safer Births Bundle.
Final Thoughts on Maternal Care
The story of this woman and her twins is heartbreaking. But it is not only her story. It is the story of many women in Nigeria who face pregnancy with fear instead of hope. Every mother deserves safe, respectful, and affordable maternal care. Until real changes are made, tragedies like this will continue.
Conclusion
Maternal care is not just about giving birth. It is about protecting mothers and babies from preventable deaths. Nigeria must act now to strengthen the system. Every mother deserves proper support. To learn more about empowering women and improving health, visit genderpedia.ng/shop.
