33,000 women die yearly from pregnancy complications – DFID

The Department for International Development (DFID) has revealed that 33,000 women died from pregnancy complications in Nigeria every year and charged media in the country to step up reportage of maternal mortality to curb the scourge and save lives. The Regional Coordinator of DFID in the South West, Mr David Ukagwu disclosed this at a […]

The Department for International Development (DFID) has revealed that 33,000 women died from pregnancy complications in Nigeria every year and charged media in the country to step up reportage of maternal mortality to curb the scourge and save lives.

The Regional Coordinator of DFID in the South West, Mr David Ukagwu disclosed this at a workshop organised by DFID in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Mothers & Beyond (M&B) as part of intervention initiatives to reduce maternal, new-born and child mortality in Nigeria.

In a chat with our correspondent, Ukagwu explained that Nigeria has the highest number of maternal and new born death in all of sub-Sahara Africa and that there is urgent need to tackle the challenge.

He said over 70 percent of maternal and child deaths in Nigeria are preventable and called on government and stakeholders to do the needful and ensure proper care for pregnant women to aide safe delivery.

Ukagwu urged pregnant women to always seek medical attention at hospitals where there are quality medical officers.

He appealed to the media to sensitise the public on the need for pregnant women to take antenatal care serious and stop patronising the quacks.

The President of Association of Medical Officers of Health, Dr. Disu Yahya Oyewoga who presented a paper during the workshop said the global maternal mortality ratio declined by 44 percent between 1990 and 2015.

He noted that every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. He added that 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, saying that the maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities.

The Executive Director of Mothers & Beyond, Bolaji Olagbaju, urged the media to provide useful information for the populace in the language they understand in order to create adequate awareness on the challenges.