…says 58,000 women die annually
By Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The managing director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, has dislosed that Nigeria has the second highest maternal mortality rate globally with about 58,000 women dying yearly during pregnancy or while giving birth.
Speaking during the Nigeria Health Watch programme themed: ‘Building Resilient Maternal Health Systems through Private Sector Integration’ on Zoom on Tuesday, she said this tragic statistics deserve greater attention and action from both the public and private sectors.
While urging the private sector to play a significant role in reducing maternal deaths in Nigeria by implementing various strategies and initiatives, Ihekweazu said: “Strengthening maternal health in Nigeria remains a challenge, despite the fact that the country continues to account for a quarter of global maternal deaths, according to a recent report. These are mothers, sisters and friends who should not be dying while giving birth.
According to Vivianne, if Nigeria is to achieve SDG 3.1, it must put a lot of work into promoting maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.
