The federal government Tuesday said the projected 132 deaths per 1,000 live births for Nigeria by 2030 is unacceptable.
Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Health took steps to partner media executives at the 2021 first quarter of the RMNCAEH+N, on how to enlighten the general public in order to halt the avoidable high mortality rate.
Tagged: “Media Parley with CEOs of Media Institutions and Dissemination of RMNCAEH+N MSP Coordination Platform 2021 Annual Operations Plan,” at the Hilton Hotels and Towers, Abuja, the ministry said the target of reducing mortality rate from 132 to 25 per 1,000 by 2030 can be achieved.
The director, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, remarked that it is not normal for a woman to die for bringing a child to the world, adding that maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria has declined from 1,220 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018.
She said: “This is still very high and unacceptable. The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation as a result of disruption of essential Sexual Reproductive Health (SHR), including family planning services at all levels of health care delivery.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that nearly 20 per cent of all global maternal deaths occurred in Nigeria, with over 600,000 maternal deaths and about 900,000 maternal near-miss cases between 2005 and 2015.
“Women in Nigeria have 1 in 22-lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth or post partum/post abortion compared with the lifetime risk of 1 in 4, 9000 in the most developed countries.”
She further stated that findings from the NDHS 2018 indicated that there was a 35% decline in under-five mortality in the last 15 years in Nigeria and 201 per 1,000 live births in 2003.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, remarked that the federal government is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He said: “One of the main campaign promise of this government is investment in the health and well-being of the Nigerian people in particular the vulnerable groups, that is women, children, adolescent and the elderly as articulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).”
Reacting to enquiry on the happenings in the ministry, Dr Ehanire pledged for bi-weekly press briefings with health correspondents with the view to updating the media on developments.
