Context:

Nigeria is facing a severe maternal health crisis, with one maternal death occurring every seven minutes, accounting for 29% of global maternal deaths. The country's inadequate healthcare infrastructure, shortage of medical professionals, and cultural practices contribute to its high maternal mortality rate. Many of these deaths are preventable, often resulting from complications like postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and unsafe abortions. The Nigerian government has initiated the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (Mamii) to address these issues by identifying pregnant women, linking them to healthcare services, and improving access to clinics. Despite these efforts, experts emphasize the need for sustained funding and effective implementation to significantly reduce maternal mortality and match global trends of declining maternal deaths.

Dive Deeper:

• Nigeria has the highest maternal mortality rate globally, with an estimated 75,000 women dying each year during childbirth, representing 29% of all maternal deaths worldwide. This alarming statistic highlights the critical state of maternal healthcare in the country.

• Contributing factors to the high maternal mortality rate include poor healthcare infrastructure, a severe shortage of medical professionals, costly treatments, and cultural practices that lead to distrust of medical professionals. These issues are exacerbated by insecurity and a lack of transport to healthcare facilities.

• Preventable causes of maternal deaths, such as postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and unsafe abortions, are prevalent due to inadequate medical care and resources. Many women, especially in rural areas, rely on traditional remedies instead of seeking timely medical assistance.

• The Nigerian government has launched the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (Mamii) to tackle this crisis. The initiative aims to identify pregnant women, support them through pregnancy and childbirth, and link them to essential healthcare services, with a focus on local transport networks and low-cost public health insurance.

• Despite some progress, Nigeria's maternal mortality rate has only improved by 13% since 2000, compared to a global reduction of 40% in the same period. Continued investment and effective implementation of initiatives like Mamii are crucial to achieving significant improvements and reducing the tragic loss of 200 mothers each day.

• The shortage of healthcare personnel is acute, with only 121,000 midwives for a population of 218 million, far below the recommended levels by the World Health Organization. This lack of trained professionals often leads to negligence and insufficient medical care during childbirth.

• Efforts to improve maternal health in Nigeria must be supported by sustained funding, continuous monitoring, and community engagement to ensure that intended outcomes are achieved and more lives are saved.