Nigeria is failing to meet critical targets to reduce child and maternal mortality rates, according to a damning report released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite efforts to improve healthcare outcomes, the country’s maternal mortality ratio remains stubbornly high.
The country director of the World Health Organisation, (WHO) Dr Walter Kazadi-Mulombo, has revealed that with six years remaining until 2030, Nigeria is not on track to reach the health-related SDGs, particularly those related to reducing maternal mortality and child mortality.
The WHO report paints a grim picture of a healthcare system struggling to cope with the demands of a rapidly growing population, leaving thousands of vulnerable mothers and children at risk of preventable deaths each year.
According to the WHO Country Director, Nigeria is far away from ending epidemics and premature death due to non-communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and tropical diseases.
Dr Kazadi-Mulombo, who spoke at the maternal health policy dialogue on “Scaling Maternal Health Innovations in Nigeria: Learning, Challenges, and Opportunities” organized by Nigeria Health Watch, noted that in Abuja, the picture of maternal mortality is very gloomy despite Nigeria and many countries yearly commitment to accelerating progress on reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality since 2015.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Advisor to the President on Health, gave the assistance of the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating a reduction of maternal death, saying it is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda.
She added, “We’re also hoping to reduce the total fertility rate by 20% in the next few years and reduce the newborn neonatal mortality rate by 40%. You know, a lot of people will say it might be unrealistic, but we strongly feel that with acceleration efforts and genuine commitment and transparency, we will be able to realise that.
“We have seen the inequity in services, even through the Basic Care Fund, which is currently being corrected, and we are engaging with a sub-national level to invest more in financial protection and safety net for women and vulnerable children.”
