DETERMINED to reduce the rate of loss of life as a result of maternal mortality, the Ogun State Government launched the rural maternal health emergency transport service on Tuesday.
The wife of the State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abio-dun, stated that the initiative would ensure the survival of women and children through prompt emergency response and referral services using the up and spoke models.
She stated this at the flag-off of the Rural Maternal Health Emergency Transport Service pilot scheme held at Odeda Local Government, noting that no fewer than 830 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth on a daily basis, while 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, like Nigeria.
Mrs Abiodun appreciated the state government for the effort in procuring 100 tricycle ambulances for distribution across the 20 local government areas of the state.
She stated, “Maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and poorer communities.” Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44%. Between 2016 and 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, the target is Maternal mortality is unacceptably high.
“About 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-re-lated complications around the world every day. It was estimated that in 2015, roughly 303, 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occurred in low-re-source settings, and most could have been prevented.
“In Ogun State, the state government has been making efforts to reduce maternal deaths through various interventions, such as the employment of over 200 nurses and midwives into the health system. The government has also procured about 100 tricycle ambulances and distributed them among all the 20 Local government areas.
“These, among other in-terventions, have been done to ensure safe delivery of all women and children.”
She appreciated development partners on health, especially Emergency Response Africa (ERA), for their efforts in ensuring the survival of women and children in Ogun State.
