Health expert laments rising maternal mortality in Nigeria

• Says Nigeria one of the worst places to give birth • Urges FG to make pregnancy care, delivery free

APROFESSOR of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU), Ile- Ife, Oluwafemi Kuti, has lamented that pregnant women die on a daily basis owing to lack of safe medical facilities and enough trained medical personnel.

He said Nigeria had become global capital of maternal death due to lack of political will to prioritise maternal health across the country.

Kuti stated this, on Tuesday, while delivering the 361st inaugural lecture of the university and the seventh lecture series of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Perinatology at the Oduduwa Hall of the institution.

He said there is poor standard of care for pregnant women at the primary and secondary health facilities, adding that a good number of pregnant women had lost their lives in the hands of traditional birth attendants.

Kuti added that there was need for innovative strategies to increase uptake and promotion of more culturally acceptable and safe method of family planning to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in Africa.

The expert said: “Nigeria is one of the worst places to give birth in the world. Many of our women either die or become maimed during pregnancy and childbirth, and many of the children would not be able to achieve their God- given potential.”