The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is urging stronger efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria. Despite some progress, the foundation notes that maternal and child mortality rates are decreasing too slowly to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
Charity Chenge, a senior program officer at BMGF, emphasized the need for innovative approaches in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja. This was on the sidelines of the 2024 dialogue themed “Scaling Maternal Health Innovations in Nigeria: Learnings, Challenges, and Opportunities,” organized by Nigeria Health Watch.
Ms. Chenge highlighted several key innovations that could accelerate progress in maternal, infant, and child health care in Nigeria. One such innovation is the postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) bundle, a comprehensive approach to managing severe bleeding after childbirth, which has the potential to save many lives.
She also discussed the importance of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), which provide essential vitamins and minerals to pregnant women to improve both maternal and newborn health.
“The Foundation has been working closely with Nigeria’s health ministry and other stakeholders to prioritize and scale up these life-saving innovations,” said Ms. Chenge. “Our goal is to significantly reduce maternal and newborn deaths by improving the quality and availability of healthcare services across the country.”
Ms. Chenge reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to collaborating with various partners to enhance maternal and newborn health in Nigeria, ultimately aiming to save thousands of lives.
According to the 2023 World Health Organisation report, maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, with the country ranking second in the global maternal deaths index. This alarming statistic highlights the gap between Nigeria’s current health outcomes and the SDGs target of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
Stakeholders attribute the problem to systemic barriers such as poor access to healthcare services, financial constraints, and inadequate transportation infrastructure, all of which contribute to delays in seeking maternal healthcare.
