… says Nigeria accounts for 29% of worldwide maternal deaths
It has been recognized that the overwhelming majority of maternal deaths in Nigeria are tied to preventable medical conditions reminiscent of Postpartum Hemorrhage, a Severe Bleeding Identified because the main reason for dying instantly after childbirth, and preeclampsia and eclampsia, a Pregnancy-induced hypertension that accounts for a good portion of maternal fatalities.
The assertion was made by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Gender/ Reproductive Health Specialist, Musa Elisha, throughout a two-day Capacity Strengthening Training for Journalists on correct reporting of UNFPA’s ninth Country Programme, organised by the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in partnership with the UNFPA and Journalists for Public Health(J4PD).
He stated, “Other conditions are Sepsis, an an infection that accounts for 15% of deaths; unsafe abortion due to restrictive authorized frameworks, the place younger and teenage ladies continuously resort to unsafe, clandestine procedures, contributing to 13% of maternal mortality; obstetric embolism, accounting for 8% of the recorded fatalities; and conditions reminiscent of malaria, HIV, diabetes, and hepatitis, which closely compound being pregnant dangers.
“Beyond mortality, survival usually comes with extreme morbidity. For each lady who dies in childbirth, 20 to 30 others undergo extreme, long-term issues, most notably obstetric fistula.
“The disaster reveals clear geographic and social disparities. Maternal mortality charges are closely concentrated in the northern elements of Nigeria, whereas the South-East and South-West areas file decrease figures.
“This divide is pushed largely by deep-seated gender inequality. Due to an absence of autonomy, many pregnant ladies are unable to make unbiased selections to search medical care, delaying therapy till life-threatening issues come up.
“Furthermore, while health facilities have been established across various regions, many women remain unaware of their locations or dissatisfied with the available services.”
Musa emphasised that the media is a crucial pillar in reversing these tendencies by monitoring information, showcasing impacts, and making certain transparency in how donor funds are deployed, reminiscent of UNFPA’s joint efforts with nationwide well being centres, demonstrating that seen, documented progress efficiently attracts vital worldwide funding.
He famous that journalists should transcend reporting statistics to actively create consciousness about healthcare facility places and dismantle social boundaries by partnering with influential conventional, spiritual, and group leaders, including that the media can spearhead the behavioural shifts obligatory to guarantee ladies and ladies can safely entry maternal and new child healthcare companies.
Musa additionally stated that Nigeria accounts for a staggering 29% of the worldwide maternal mortality burden, making it the best contributor to maternal deaths worldwide in accordance to latest UN reviews.
The disaster is additional highlighted by information from the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which reveals that out of an estimated 20 million deliveries in the nation, roughly 68,000 ladies die yearly from pregnancy-related issues.
He known as for a strategic partnership with the media to enhance healthcare transparency, drive donor funding, and lift grassroots consciousness.
Also talking by means of her presentation, a UNFPA Gender/GBV Specialist, Dr Zubiada Abubakar, challenged the media to look past statistics and expose vital gaps in maternal healthcare, stressing the necessity for deep investigative reporting on government-funded healthcare applications, together with the effectiveness of rural maternal transport schemes, whereas strictly sustaining the dignity and privateness of weak survivors.
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She stated that as a part of its ongoing intervention, UNFPA is actively supporting 14 states throughout Nigeria to broaden emergency community-based healthcare entry and strengthen the implementation of the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) framework.
Abubakar stated, “The programme adopts a strict ‘no name, no blame, no shame’ method, enabling communities and governments to observe, assessment, and stop maternal fatalities transparently.
“I urge the media to consider the precise capability and operational requirements of major healthcare centres throughout the nation.
“Journalists are inspired to observe and examine vital metrics, together with Infrastructure performance, which is an evaluation of what number of rural healthcare amenities are actually operational and in the event that they meet fundamental high quality requirements.
“The media must also observe native information, together with the precise variety of profitable deliveries, emergency caesarean sections and sufferers discharged versus these misplaced to avoidable issues.
“Also, journalists ought to examine the midwifery and staffing Gaps, verifying the commencement charges of state midwifery faculties and investigating why certified healthcare employees are lacking from rural amenities.
“Maternal well being extends past mortality to long-term morbidity, most notably obstetric fistula—a devastating childbirth damage that leaves ladies incontinent.
“UNFPA has significantly expanded its regional support, including the establishment of a 15-bed maternity and fistula repair unit at a government maternity hospital located roughly four to five hours from a northern state capital.”
Abubakar urged journalists to doc these deeply private journeys of the affected victims, declaring that they have to function below strict moral requirements by shifting away from sensationalism, pity, or victim-blaming, and cling to the core tips.
She stated that written or documented verbal consent should be fully voluntary and knowledgeable, stressing that offering healthcare companies or help mustn’t ever be made conditional on a survivor agreeing to be interviewed.
The UNFPA GBV Specialist stated that media reporting ought to defend the privateness and dignity of the victims, including that media organisations should use correct medical terminology, distinguishing clearly between mortality and morbidity.
She additionally stated that the media, as a approach ahead, ought to make sure that information reviews contextualise maternal well being not as remoted tragedies, however as systemic failures, including that media narratives ought to humanise the victims as moms, wives, and valued group members whereas urgent each state and nationwide governments to enhance home funding for medical insurance and social safety schemes.
In his remarks, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Information, Dr Usman Shehu Usman, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, emphasised that the media stays a strategic companion in driving public consciousness and making certain authorities accountability.
“Reporting on these delicate points requires deep professionalism, absolute accuracy, and unwavering respect for the dignity and privateness of survivors.
“As media practitioners, you have a distinct responsibility to challenge misinformation and give visibility to the vulnerable groups in our communities,” the Commissioner acknowledged.
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