A professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Sotunsa has said an excellent, holistic and Indigenous approach to child delivery like the Abiye Initiative of the Ondo State government will stem maternal mortality in Nigeria.
He made the observation while delivering Babcock University’s 49th inaugural lecture, Beyond Superficial Success: Holistic Approaches to Maternal Mortality.
Professor Sotunsa is the Provost of the Benjamin Carson Snr College of Health & Medical Sciences.
President/Vice Chancellor Babcock University, Professor Adebola Tayo congratulating the inaugural lecturer, Professor John Sotunsa after delivering his lecture at the 49th inaugural lecture of Babacock University, Ilishan- Remo Ogun State
Impact of Abiye Initiative
He said the Abiye programme addressed all the delays that cause maternal mortality including delays in seeking appropriate care. It also harmonized the efforts of Primary and Tertiary Health Care Centres with the aid of government-recruited and trained health rangers.
The maternal mortality rate according to him dropped in the first year of the Abiye Project implementation to 100 per 100,000 live births, a far cry from the national MMR of 545 per 100,000 live births.
Professor Sotunsa said it was high time all causes of maternal death were eliminated to change the negative narrative.
He said statistics showed that the delays in areas such as seeking help for pregnancy and childbirth, reaching specific facility as well as getting care and referrals when needed were among the major risk factors for Nigeria’s high maternal mortality.
To stem the high maternal mortality, he said the healthcare centres have to be available, accessible and affordable to pregnant women.
Beyond being affordable, he said the facilities have to also be of good quality if Nigeria is serious about reducing maternal mortality.
How to go about it
The university don recommended social networks and support as well as social insurance schemes to stem maternal mortality.
He also noted that mentorship, communication and documentation will help in curbing the death rate of pregnant women.
According to him,” adequate social support would not only enhance a positive pregnancy experience but reduce the risk of premature deaths by 26%. It will reduce depression, anxiety, stroke, heart disease and dementia.”
Sotunsa expressed confidence that “We can keep our women alive if we look inward and maximize our opportunities,”, adding, “What we have, know, and do can prevent the majority of maternal deaths in Nigeria if we are available, consistent, ingenious, committed and ready to sacrifice.”
