The authorities must do more to stem the scourge The scale of maternal mortality in Nigeria has become so alarming that we must call on the health authorities to fashion out a blueprint that will extenuate this pressing challenge. According to the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, no fewer than 700 babies die daily in Nigeria. “This is the highest number of newborn deaths in Africa and the second highest in the world.

Alarmingly, 25% of all neonatal deaths occur on the first day of life, while 75% occur within the first week,” Sani said while also noting that his state has the highest neonatal mortality rate in the Northwest. Sani has merely confirmed the latest statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which reveal that Nigeria accounts for over 34 % of global maternal deaths while the lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, or after an abortion for a Nigerian woman is one in 22, compared to one in 4900 in developed countries. The WHO report, ‘improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: Progress Report 2023’ ranked Nigeria as accounting for the second-highest number of maternal and child deaths globally, after India.

The challenge at hand goes beyond what the federal government can handle. Many of the rural communities in the 36 states lack cottage hospitals and medical facilities that will address these challenges. Where they exist, there is shortage of manpower, and obsolete medical equipment .

Insta.