World Health Day: Royal Public Health Initiative Urges Oyo Govt To Prevent Maternal, Newborn Deaths
A Non-Governmental Organization, Royal Public Health Advancement Initiative (RPHAI) has urged the Oyo state government to increase its efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and prioritize women’s health and well-being.
Royal Public Health Initiative, an organization with a vision to build and sustain support for appropriate health advancement initiatives in Nigeria made the plea while Commemorating this year World Health Day.
The Royal Public Health Advancement Initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) pleaded with the government, healthcare providers, and communities to work together to address the gaps in maternal and child health in Oyo State.
In his address, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Public Health Advancement Initiative, Dr Abbas Gbolahan said Quackery is a major challenge mitigating the unrelenting effort of the Oyo state government on the fight against maternal and newborn death.
” Although there are improvements in health indices, considering the population of Oyo State, the indicators have not reached the expected figures
” Oyo State with Population of more than 10 million (2006 population estimate) with 25% urban and 75% rural. Majority of the inhabitants are farmers, petty traders and artisan with a small proportion of civil servant.
” In Oyo State Neonatal Mortality has dropped from 41 per 1000 live birth in 2018 to 18 per 1000 live birth in 2023/24 while infant Mortality has reduced from 64 per 1000 live birth in 2018 to the current 23 per 1000 Live birth in 2023/24. Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate has increased from 22.2% to 34.4% the Immunization coverage has increased from 44.3% to 52.6%. (Notional Demographic Health Survey NDHS 2023/24).
Dr. Gbolahan said, despite the state government’s effort, the proportion of patients able to access appropriate treatment remains low particularly in the rural communities and urban slums, explained that quackery still remains a challenge despite government efforts.
Dr. Gbolahan listed challenges of Maternal and Child Health to include inadequate provision of trained medical and paramedical personnel, Inefficient utilization of services provided, economic, psychological, sociocultural issues, Inadequate access to healthcare services, Long-distance, transportation and referral barrier, burden of communicable and preventable diseases.
While recommending for the government, Dr Gbolahan urged the government to employ skill health workforce, provide adequate facilities including drugs and equipment with equitable distribution.
He also urged government to improve coverage of Community Health Insurance to reduce poverty, particularly in the rural areas and urban slums, adding that an improved immunization services will reduce communicable diseases.
In his speech, the Oyo State coordinator, World Health Organization, W.H.O, DR Zorto Philip said this year World Health Day will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health.
He said based on currently published estimates, many women lose their life due to pregnancy or childbirth each year, while over 2 million babies die in their first month of life, and many more are stillborn “That’s roughly 1 preventable death every 7 seconds”.
” Based on current trends, a staggering 4 out of 5 countries are off track to meet targets for improving maternal survival by 2030. 1 in 3 will fail to meet targets for reducing newborn deaths.
” Health systems must evolve to manage the many health issues that impact maternal and newborn health. These not only include direct obstetric complications but also mental health conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and family planning.
DR Zorto assured that, WHO will continue to work with government and partners to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, adding that WHO and partners will also share useful information to support healthy pregnancies and births, and better postnatal health.
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