Routine antenatal care reduces maternal death – Experts

By: Chioma Umeha

Experts have agreed that death of women through maternal cause can be avoided if regular antenatal check-up and routine drugs taken throughout the period of pregnancy.
Stating this was the Commissioner of Health, Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris, who insisted that there is need for pregnant and nursing women to be aware of the availability health facilities and personnel and access the necessary services in order to sustain efforts in the reduction of maternal and child mortality. Idris said this on the occasion of the town hall meeting on maternal mortality reduction in Iberekodo, Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos, Thursday,  adding that state government has built hospitals, provide facilities, quality health personnel and literary materials to ensure that ensure that maternal death in the state remains on the decline.

However, he noted pregnant women and nursing mothers may not access these facilities unless they are aware of its availability and the usefulness to them, adding that this is the essence of the town hall meeting.
His word; “We have built hospitals, provided facilities, trained our staff; we have printed free booklets (brochures) which contains information on pregnancy, ante natal and child care, but we have hold this meeting today to ensure a personal interaction with you and confirm that you are aware of the availability of this facilities, its relevance and access them.”

Speaking also, Hon. Kemi Surakat, lamented that maternal mortality is the leading cause of death among women globally, especially in the less developed countries, with Africa witnessing the highest incidences of this plague. Surakat said that emphasis should be placed on preventive medicines and risk factors and diseases such as hypertension, diabetics among others that might lead to maternal mortality.

“On a monthly basis, we maintain monthly health out reaches on immunization to all corners and crannies of our areas to stem the ravages of these preventable diseases. By screening for breast and cervical cancers in our women, in order to eliminate and reduce the ever increasing rate of cancer in our women folks, he said.
Similarly, Senator Gbenga Ashafari, urged women to ensure regular ante natal check-up as well as take their routine drugs, reasoning that this will guarantee good health and safe delivery of pregnant mothers. “Pregnant mothers should visit primary healthcare centres, ensure regular ante natal care and take their routine drugs, throughout the pregnancy period,” Ashafari said. Corroborating, Senator Abike Dabiri pointed out that the brochure contains important information on food nutrients which every woman must know.

This story was published in Daily Newswatch on May 4, 2013.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Develop Specific Security Reforms To Curb Corruption In Defence Sector, National Assembly Urged

Image
  Group photograph of participants at the one-day workshop on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector organised recently, by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in collaboration with Transparency International - Defence and Security Project (TI-DSP) in Nasarawa State . National Assembly (NASS) has been urged to develop specific security reforms aimed at systematically curbing the root causes of corruption within the defence and security institutions in Nigeria. The stakeholders who during a recent a one-day workshop in Nasarawa state on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector, also "advocated for the adoption of specific legislation” to curb corruption in the sector.   The stakeholders who participated recently in a one-day workshop on &q
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more