Early ultrasound scans reduce maternal mortality -SOGON

The group also urges pre-pregnancy folic acid administration, which is known to reduce maternal anaemia and congenital malformations in babies


To reduce the increasing cases of maternal mortality in the country, pregnant women have been advised to go for ultrasound scans in the first 3-4 months of pregancy.

This advice was given by the Society of Gynaecology and Obsterics of Nigeria SOGON on Thursday in Abuja.

SOGON disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its annual scientific conference and general meeting of 500 participants in Ibadan with the themes: “Promoting universal access to maternal and newborn health” and “Africa in a world of 7 billion: The case for meeting MDGs 5(a) and (b).”

“There are experts trained in ultrascanography; the scan conducted within three months or six weeks should be more reliable. Women should always see obstetricians when pregnancy is within the first three months,” the communiqué advised.

According to SOGON, pre-pregnancy folic acid administration, which is known to reduce maternal anaemia and congenital malformations in babies, should be adopted as a policy for women planning for pregnancy.

The group also called on the Presidency to immediately pass the National Health Bill into law, to enhance the performance of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

“Any reform in the health sector which does not focus on Primary Healthcare would be a nullity if the National Health Bill is not passed into law. The Bill will enhance funding of NPHCDA and as such we cannot wait any longer, President Goodluck Jonathan should act fast and pass the Bill into law,” they urged.

The umbrella body of gynaecologists and obstetricians also called on the Federal Government to adopt the ‘no blame’ maternal mortality audit for all maternal and neonatal deaths as orthodox and traditional institutions as a national policy.

Other resolutions include: “That a functional quality assurance unit be established within the Federal Ministry of Health to improve healthcare of our people. There should also be simple, sustainable and cost-effective measures to reduce maternal and perinatal diseases and deaths, such as Midwifery Service Scheme which should be well supported and funded.

“Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services should be free and compulsory for every pregnant woman in Nigeria. This is to reduce the burden of HIV in the country.”

They also called on the three tiers of government to make health facilities accessible through free maternal and child healthcare policies.

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