ABEOKUTA – As part of its efforts in putting an end to maternal mortality, the Ogun State Government on Tuesday launched “Ogun Maternal Health Emergency Transportation”.
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Tomi Coker while speaking during the flagging off the pilot phase of the Rural Maternal Health Emergency Transport Service at the Odeda Local Government Area of the state disclosed that it is an initiative of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun in transforming the health and well- being of mothers, sisters and daughters.
She said that reducing maternal mortality requires a holistic approach to the community, saying that the state government is committed in tackling it from every angle.
“The “Ogun Maternal Health Emergency Transportation” an initiative of our Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun (CON) that will positively transform the health and well-being of our mothers, sisters, and daughters. This is a priority for His Excellency, and today marks the beginning of a new phase in our efforts to combat maternal mortality in Ogun State and, indeed, in Nigeria at large.
“Maternal health is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal responsibility, a cornerstone of community development, and a measure of the strength of our health system. Every woman, regardless of her socio-economic background or location, deserves the right to safe and timely access to healthcare, especially during pregnancy and childbirth.
“We are all aware that maternal mortality remains one of the greatest health challenges we face in Nigeria. The stark reality is that Nigeria accounts for one of the highest numbers of maternal deaths in the world.
“Too many mothers are lost each year to preventable causes—many of them related to delays in accessing proper medical care during childbirth. These are not just numbers; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and futures forever altered.
“We cannot and must not, accept this. The Maternal Health Emergency Transport Project we launch today is an ambitious and targeted response to this challenge.
“It is an important step in our efforts as the Ogun State Government to reduce maternal mortality, born out of the understanding that timely access to healthcare can make the difference between life and death for a pregnant woman facing complications.
“By providing reliable and swift transportation for pregnant women in emergencies, especially those in rural and under-served areas, we are ensuring that no woman has to face unnecessary delays in receiving the care she needs.
“The transport is free and 24 hours. Research shows that when a mother dies during or shortly after childbirth, her baby is 50 times more likely to die within the first month of life than a baby whose mother survived. And when a mother dies, there are long-lasting ripple effects on the man of the house and her immediate community. When you save one woman’s life, we save the entire community within which they exist.
“We are proud to partner with Emergency Response Africa and the Novartis Foundation on this pilot project, however, this is just a part of a larger effort. We are also working to strengthen our healthcare systems, improve antenatal care, and invest in infrastructure, equipment, and training for our health workers in all our flagship PHCs a Ross our 236 Wards.
“Reducing maternal mortality requires a holistic approach with community and we are committed to tackling it from every angle. This initiative will be rolled out in all 236 wards before long.”
The Commissioner, therefore, urged all residents of the state to take advantage of the service to ensure that no woman faces an unnecessary risk during childbirth.
Meanwhile, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun noted that maternal mortality is unacceptably high, with approximately 830 women dying from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications worldwide everyday.
The First Lady listed major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, including haemorrhage, infection, and high blood pressure, among others.
She said, “In 2018, the maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria was estimated to be 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, and in 2019, the MMR was estimated to be over 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with a neonatal mortality rate of 33 per 1,000 live births.
“The state government has been making efforts to reduce maternal deaths through various interventions, such as employing over 200 nurses and midwives into the health system.
“The government has also procured about 100 tricycle ambulances and distributed them among all 20 LGAs. These, among other interventions, have been undertaken to ensure the safe delivery of all women and children.” she concluded
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of ERA, Dr Folake Owoduni, said that the aim of the initiative is to ensure that pregnant women receive the necessary emergency services within 10 minutes.
Dr Owoduni lauded the state government for supporting the initiative and pleaded with the residents of the local government for their support and cooperation to ensure that the purpose of the scheme is not defeated.
Other dignitaries present at the event were , the Olu of Odeda, Oba David Olorinisola; the Olu of Olodo Keesi, Oba Ebenezer Adeosun; the Head of the Local Government Administration, Alhaja Nurat Sekoni; and other community leaders and top government functionaries.
