At least one in 18 pregnant women die during or after childbirth in Nigeria, Dr Simbiat Elias, Senior Lecturer, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), said on Thursday.
Speaking in Lagos at a workshop on maternal mortality, Elias added that about 800 in 100,000 pregnant women died in Nigeria, representing 10 per cent of the total global maternal mortality rate.
Elias identified inadequate care, lack of adequate facilities, poverty, ignorance, lack of knowledge about reproductive health and religion as some of the factors responsible for the maternal mortality.
She said that religious leaders had a huge role to play in the reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
According to her, the role of religious leaders cannot be over emphasised, as followers often consult their opinions before taking decisions pertaining to their health.
She said that even though it was good to have faith, unnecessary risks should not be taken on health related issues.
Elias urged religious leaders to encourage female education as studies had shown that maternal mortality was much lower in societies where women had higher educational levels.
“Studies have shown that maternal mortality is lower in societies where women have higher educational levels and social status.”
She advised female adolescents against fornication to prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions which contributed 13 per cent to the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.
She urged men to support and provide for their wives during pregnancy and after delivery, to reduce complications arising from childbirth which could lead to death.
Mrs Tanimola Lateefah, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said that reduction of maternal mortality was the duty of the society.
The workshop was organised by “Oops I’m pregnant”, an NGO, in collaboration with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN).
The theme of the workshop is: “The role of faith based organisations in achieving a reduced maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.
http://www.nigerianobservernews.com/26112011/news/news5.html
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