From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin
With an estimated maternal mortality rate of 608 per 100, 000 deliveries each year, Nigeria has been rated the second after India in terms of maternal death by the Women Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC).
The organisation, whose aim is to promote the reproductive health and social well-being of women also said Nigeria accounts for 50 percent of the global number of maternal deaths.
Chief Executive officer of the Centre, Prof. Friday Okonofua disclosed this at a workshop on assessment of infection control practices in delivery care units in Edo state.
The workshop which was attended by officials from the state ministry of health, women affairs as well as health workers from public and private health institutions and representatives of non-governmental organisations identified the three primary causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria to include; bleeding after birth, pregnancy hypertension and post-delivery infections.
"Studies, including data from Edo state have shown that up to four out of 10 women who experience puerperal infections die from the complication. Besides, maternal mortality in Edo state reflects the national average. Maternal health is presently not prioritized by the state government," he stated.
Prof. Okonofua declared that 70 percent of pregnant women attend ante-natal care, 60 percent are delivered by doctors and nurses, while less than 10 percent of deliveries are conducted by traditional births attendants.
"The results of the study demonstrate the lack of appropriate policies and practices relating to infection control in maternal units in Edo state, given that puerperal sepsis is the third leading cause of maternal mortality in the country," Prof. Okonofua added.
Worried by the lack of data of maternity care and puerperal sepsis at the health facilities visited, the centre recommended that accurate record keeping should be prioritised as an important strategy to monitor the outcome of infection control measures.
http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/news/national-news/20629-nigeria-has-second-highest-maternal-mortality-rate
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