In spite of concerted efforts by the health authorities and experts in the country to drastically reduce and combat the high rate of maternal and infant mortality nationwide, the number unfortunately still remains among the highest in the world.
The worrisome assertion was dropped at the weekend in Anambra by a health expert and consultant, Prof Bryan Adinma of the College of Medicine Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi.
According to him, more than sixty thousand (60,000) mothers still die in pregnancy-related complications annually in the country.
Adinma who was the former Anambra state Commissioner for Health and Consultant to some agencies of the United Nations and the World Bank, spoke at a workshop on Women Reproductive Health and Rights, organized by the IPAS in collaboration with the Umu-Ada Igbo Nigeria Project, at the weekend in Nri, Anaocha council of Anambra state.
He emphasized that every expectant mother should register at a health institution, “not prayer houses or with quacks under whatever name”, for proper and close attention from conception till delivery. He also took the participants on a journey from the dynamics of male/female reproductive idiosyncrasies, selection of baby’s sex, menstruation, ovulation and menopause.
Mrs Nkem Anyogu, a lawyer also spoke on the reproductive rights of Women in marriage and in the choice of child rearing, when, how and why. These include their rights to decide how many children to have, when, safe motherhood, sexual and gender violence.
The National President of Umu-Ada Igbo Nigeria, Dr Kate Ezeofor in her address noted that the programme was part of the grassroots mobilization and sensitization activities of the Umu-Ada Igbo Project nationwide in relation to a better society through knowledge and awareness.
She bemoaned the current statistics that show a maternal mortality rate of 1000 to every 100,000 live births in South East geo-political zone. Whereas 34,000 women die annually in the country from illegal abortion, obstructed labour and hemorrhage.
His Royal Majesty Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, Nri-Enwelani, the traditional ruler of Nri, the fabled ancestral home cum origin of the Igbo race in whose palace the workshop was held urged them to step up the sensitization and mobilization drive, pointing out that that the maternal mortality issue remains a nagging national issue of all ages and class.
The monarch who was represented by his Palace Secretary, Chief Chijioke Ifeka prayed the participants to imbibe and put the teachings into practice. Also, to pass the new ideas and teachings down to others. He thanked the organizers for choosing his community for commencement of the programme.
