Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has activated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to tackle the high rate of maternal and neonatal deaths in Abia State.
This follows a survey which revealed that three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state—Obingwa, Ukwa East, and Bende—are among the 172 LGAs in Nigeria with the highest rates of maternal and newborn deaths. Collectively, these 172 LGAs account for about 55 per cent of all maternal and neonatal deaths nationwide.
Speaking during a five-day workshop and deep-dive visits to communities in the affected LGAs, Team Lead from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Tosin Ilesanmi, expressed concern over the disturbing statistics and solicited the cooperation of all critical stakeholders in addressing the problem.
According to her, the team’s mission was to engage pregnant mothers and stakeholders to identify the root causes of maternal and newborn deaths and proffer solutions.
Responding to questions from journalists, Ilesanmi disclosed that delays in seeking and accessing care, as well as poor health-seeking decisions, were major contributors to the crisis. She noted with concern that many women still preferred traditional birth attendants (TBAs) over renovated primary health centres (PHCs).
“We discovered that a lot of women want to deliver with traditional birth attendants rather than use the facilities that have been renovated. We understand that 200 health facilities are being renovated by Governor Alex Otti, yet many women still believe TBAs can support them better. The state government is, however, planning to abolish TBAs,” she said.
Ilesanmi further explained that the federal government had lined up interventions, including health insurance, ambulance services, and free distribution of delivery kits and micronutrients to women who patronize PHCs.
At the official launch of MAMII at Igbere PHC, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ogbonnaya Uche, lamented Nigeria’s poor record on maternal mortality, noting that the country accounts for 29 per cent of global maternal deaths.
“Every seven minutes, a woman dies in Nigeria. That is not a good record,” he said.
Prof. Uche highlighted ongoing renovations and equipping of PHCs as part of deliberate efforts by Governor Otti to address the crisis, adding that 200 health centres had been renovated, with another 50 set to be equipped within a week.
Describing MAMII as a “silver bullet” to reduce maternal mortality, he assured that the state government would give the initiative full support.
He warned pregnant women against patronizing quacks and TBAs, urging them instead to deliver at PHCs, which he said are now well-equipped and among the best in the country.
Also speaking, State Desk Officer, Dr. Onuka Okorie, said stakeholders had jointly developed an intervention blueprint after extensive fieldwork. He identified delays in seeking care, poverty, and medical complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, and prolonged labour as major causes of maternal and neonatal deaths.
Similarly, Mayor of Bende LGA, Deacon Uwa-Bunkeonye, vowed to enforce the state government’s ban on TBAs, warning women to patronize PHCs or face sanctions.
Highlights of the five-day event included the inauguration of a state taskforce on MAMII, presentation of a 90-page action plan, and the unveiling of MAMII kits and multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Participants—including religious leaders—urged pregnant women to avoid risky practices such as delivering in religious houses or with TBAs, and instead utilize PHCs where skilled birth attendants are available. They also called on health workers to improve their attitudes, warning that poor behavior could discourage women from using public facilities despite government investments.
Some pregnant mothers at the event, Mrs. Amarachi Ifeanyi and Mrs. Margaret Kennedy, expressed delight with the initiative and promised to stick with PHCs for safe delivery.
