The Ogun State government has introduced a rural maternal health emergency transport service aimed at decreasing maternal mortality rates in the state.
During the launch at the Odeda Local Government Secretariat, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, highlighted the government’s commitment to reducing maternal deaths through various initiatives. These include the employment of over 200 nurses and midwives and the procurement and distribution of about 100 tricycle ambulances across all 20 local government areas.
Mrs. Abiodun addressed the key causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries, such as haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour. She noted that approximately 830 women die daily from preventable pregnancy-related causes, with 99% of these deaths occurring in developing countries, particularly among women in rural and impoverished areas.
“Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high,” Mrs. Abiodun said, citing a global target to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. She also referenced the high maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria, which was over 800 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019.
The new initiative aims to enhance emergency response and referral services using an up-and-spoke model, improving antenatal care attendance, and increasing deliveries by skilled birth attendants at primary health care centers. Mrs. Abiodun praised development partners like Emergency Response Africa (ERA) for their contributions to ensuring the survival of women and children in Ogun State.
Dr. Tomi Coker, State Commissioner for Health, affirmed that the initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing maternal mortality and will positively impact the health and well-being of mothers in Ogun State.