Maternal mortality refers to when a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth. This is a serious health problem that affects many countries worldwide. Understanding maternal mortality helps us protect mothers and babies.
Nigeria’s Progress in Reducing Maternal Mortality
The Nigerian federal government recently announced that deaths of women during childbirth have decreased by 17 percent in Nigeria.
Professor Ali Mohammad Pate works as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. He shared this information on Tuesday in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. He spoke at a special event where three new health programs were launched.
To better address this issue, it’s important to look at what causes maternal mortality.
Many women die during pregnancy and childbirth from causes that can be prevented. In the past, women and children faced serious health risks because of poor healthcare systems. Some common causes of maternal mortality include:
- Lack of quality medicines when mothers need them
- Poor nutrition during pregnancy
- Fake or low-quality medical products
- Not enough access to healthcare services
New Programs to Stop Maternal Mortality
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, known as NAFDAC, started three important programs. These programs work together to protect pregnant women, newborn babies, and children.
Professor Mojisola Adeyeye leads NAFDAC as the Director General. She explained that these three programs are connected like pillars holding up a building. Each program helps reduce maternal mortality in different ways.
Program One: Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Plus Nutrition
This program focuses on keeping mothers and babies healthy through good nutrition. The program fights against malnutrition and helps reduce maternal mortality. It also makes sure mothers can breastfeed their babies safely.
NAFDAC checks nutrition products to make sure they are safe. The agency also enforces rules that help mothers breastfeed. When children get proper nutrition, they grow healthier and stronger.
Program Two: NAFDAC Office of Women and Children’s Health
This special office works only on health issues affecting women and children. The office promotes safe motherhood and teaches people how to use medicines correctly. It encourages breastfeeding and fights against harmful practices.
The office also helps companies in Nigeria make medicines for children. It supports the production of products women need for menstrual hygiene. The office works with government ministries, non-governmental organizations, and private companies.
Program Three: National Action Plan Against Fake Medical Products
Fake medicines are a big problem that increases maternal mortality. Some medical products sold in Nigeria are substandard or falsified. This means they do not work properly or contain harmful ingredients.
The National Action Plan runs from 2023 to 2027. It provides a clear framework for protecting people from unsafe medicines. The plan has three main parts: prevention, detection, and response.
The plan brings together groups from Nigeria and other countries. Everyone works together to build a strong supply chain for medicines. This helps ensure accountability in the healthcare system.
Recent Improvements in Maternal Mortality Numbers
In the last two years, Nigeria has seen early signs of improvement in maternal mortality. Data from most local government areas shows that maternal mortality rates dropped by 17 percent. This is important progress in reducing deaths during childbirth.
Newborn deaths have also decreased by 10 percent. This means more babies are surviving after birth. However, Minister Pate explained that this progress is not enough. Nigeria has a large population and deep health problems that still need solutions.
Why These Numbers Matter for Maternal Mortality
Every percentage point reduction in maternal mortality represents real lives saved. When the maternal mortality rate drops by 17 percent, it means many mothers returned home safely to their families. These mothers can now raise their children and contribute to their communities.
The 10 percent reduction in newborn deaths also connects to maternal mortality. When mothers receive better care during pregnancy and childbirth, their babies have a better chance of survival. Healthy mothers lead to healthy babies.
The Role of Quality Medicines in Reducing Maternal Mortality
Access to quality medicines plays a crucial role in preventing maternal mortality. Women need safe and effective medicines during pregnancy and childbirth. Without proper medicines, complications can become deadly.
NAFDAC’s work ensures that medicines available in Nigeria are safe. The agency checks medical products to confirm they meet quality standards. The World Health Organization provides quality assurance status for approved products.
When pregnant women can trust their medicines, maternal mortality rates decrease. Quality medicines help prevent infections, control bleeding, and manage other complications during childbirth.
Nutrition and Maternal Mortality
Poor nutrition increases the risk of maternal mortality. Pregnant women need proper nutrition to stay healthy and support their growing babies. Malnutrition makes mothers weak and unable to handle the stress of childbirth.
The MNCH+N Initiative addresses malnutrition as a key factor in maternal mortality. By regulating nutrition products, NAFDAC ensures mothers receive safe supplements. Proper nutrition gives mothers strength during pregnancy and delivery.
Breastfeeding also connects to maternal mortality. When mothers breastfeed, it helps their bodies recover after childbirth. Breastfeeding-friendly policies support maternal health and reduce mortality risks.
Partnership Approach to Fighting Maternal Mortality
Reducing maternal mortality requires teamwork from many organizations. NAFDAC works with important partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, known as GAIN.
These partnerships strengthen the systems that produce and regulate health products. International organizations bring expertise and resources. Nigerian agencies provide local knowledge and implementation power.
The World Health Organization representative, Omotayo Hamzat, spoke at the launch event. He praised NAFDAC’s leadership in addressing maternal mortality. He emphasized that collaboration between agencies creates stronger results.
Building a Resilient Healthcare System
A resilient healthcare system is essential for reducing maternal mortality. The system must be able to handle challenges and continue providing care. Strong supply chains ensure medicines reach women when they need them.
Intelligence sharing helps identify problems quickly. When agencies share information about fake medicines or supply problems, they can respond faster. Rapid response mechanisms save lives by addressing threats to maternal health immediately.
The National Action Plan mobilizes stakeholders at national and international levels. Everyone works together to protect citizens from unsafe medical products. This coordinated approach builds a healthcare ecosystem based on accountability.
The Vision for Zero Maternal Mortality
Professor Adeyeye shared NAFDAC’s vision for the future. The agency dreams of a Nigeria where no mother dies from preventable causes. In this vision, no child suffers from malnutrition and no patient receives harmful fake medicines.
This vision guides all three initiatives launched by NAFDAC. Every program works toward the goal of eliminating preventable maternal mortality. The 17 percent reduction shows this vision is becoming reality, but more work remains.
Minister Pate emphasized the government’s unwavering determination to safeguard women and children. Protecting the integrity of the healthcare system helps reduce maternal mortality. When the system works properly, mothers receive the care they deserve.
Looking Ahead: Future Progress on Maternal Mortality
The Ministry of Health plans to share more data about progress in reducing maternal mortality. A joint annual review of the health sector began on Wednesday after the launch event. This review will show detailed information about improvements across Nigeria.
More data helps everyone understand what strategies work best against maternal mortality. It shows which areas need more support and resources. Transparent data sharing builds trust and accountability in the healthcare system.
The next few years will be critical for maternal mortality reduction efforts. The National Action Plan runs until 2027. During this time, continued monitoring and evaluation will track progress toward the goal of zero preventable maternal deaths.
Key Takeaways About Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality represents deaths of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Nigeria has reduced maternal mortality by 17 percent in recent years. This progress comes from improved healthcare systems and better access to quality medicines.
Three new NAFDAC initiatives work together to further reduce maternal mortality. These programs address nutrition, women’s health, and fake medical products. Partnerships with international organizations strengthen these efforts.
While progress has been made, maternal mortality remains a serious challenge in Nigeria. Continued commitment and resources are needed to protect every mother and child.
Conclusion
Understanding maternal mortality helps communities support mothers and advocate for better healthcare. Progress in reducing maternal mortality shows that change is possible when organizations work together. To learn more about maternal health issues and gender-related topics, visit genderpedia.ng/shop for helpful resources and information.
