The Government of Ogun State, in partnership with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFDPA) has moved to reduce maternal mortality in the state with the provision of a clinical laboratory for midwifery students.
The state government has made a projection to reduce maternal mortality in the state by 25 per cent at the end of 2022.
In a bid to achieve this, the government, in collaboration with UNFPA, on Friday, commissioned a clinical laboratory at the School of Midwifery in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all maternal deaths in the world.
Between 2005 and 2015, it is estimated that over 600 000 maternal deaths and no less than 900 000 maternal near-miss cases occurred in the country.
Also, Maternal Figures says more than 50,000 women die during childbirth in Nigeria every year
Dr Tomi Coker, the state Commissioner for Health asserted that the government is making other efforts at reducing infant mortality in the state.
She said the new laboratory would empower the students with “skills for safe child delivery in line with global best practices.”
“Through our collaboration with UNFPA, we have been able to revamp the skills lab with mannequins that will simulate the real child delivery scenarios,” Coker said.
She also hinted that the state was currently renovating primary health centres across the state, stressing that the renovation would be complemented by skilled healthcare workers.
“We would continue to promote capacity building initiatives for health care students and workers across the state.”
Bamidele Abiodun, the Wife of the State Governor, urged students and the management of the school to utilize the facilities effectively, saying “it would be one of the best facilities in the South-West of Nigeria”.
She noted that the laboratory, with its modern infrastructure, would facilitate learning and keep the midwifery students abreast of current trends in maternal and child health, especially in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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