REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN NIGERIA
Maternal mortality; the death of a woman while pregnant or within forty two days after delivery, excluding accidental causes of death has been a cause of worry to many succeeding governments. Calculated by the number of maternal death related to child bearing divided by live births, Nigeria maternal mortality rate is the second largest in the world.
According to a 2007 WHO report, Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is about 1,100 per 100,000 live births. Over half a million women die in childbirth annually around the world, according the WHO, Nigeria alone accounts for 10 percent of these deaths. With a population of about 140 million, it means about 60,000 deaths per year.
The factors that gave rise to these staggering statistics are varied. Firstly, the absence of sufficient health facilities in the rural areas. Because of this, many pregnant women chose to have their babies under the care of native midwives, often with concoctions administered on them.
Even when the health centre is available, the dilapidated roads to the centres could discourage anyone from risking the life of a mother, trying to reach the centres.
Secondly, ignorance about how and where a pregnant woman would have access to government provided free maternal health facilities is also a factor. Many women are unaware that government in some states has actually provided free medical care for pregnant women. This might account for the low number of pregnant women accessing medical facilities. According to a study, only 31 percent of pregnant women had access to maternal health facilities during their pregnancy.
Where the centres are available, acute power outages make the maximal use of medical facilities difficult. Some doctors have resorted to keep torch light handy in the event of an emergency.
Added to these is the concentration of medical personnel in urban areas. Because of the availability of basic amenities like water, good access roads and electricity, many medical personnel rather chose to live in urban centres. And since majority of people live in rural areas, a lot of people are denied the services of professional medical personnel.
The response of Nigerians to the problem of maternal mortality has been varied. While some believe it is because of lack of political commitment by the government in power to fulfill its obligations to the people; others think it’s rampant because the few available health facilities are stretched to their limits. Some believe that Nigeria has all it takes to meet the UN’S Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to cut maternity and infant death rate by three quarters by the year 2015. This school of thought believe it’s just the political will and judicious use of resources that would guarantee the attainment of these goals. While others find it unacceptable that Nigeria should be losing her mothers because of lack of adequate health facilities.
It was against this background that President Umar Yar’Adua assumed office in May 2007. Accepting the challenges before him, he pragmatically came up with his now famous 7 point Agenda. A blue print to bring Nigeria out of the doldrums of poverty, unemployment and decaying infrastructure. With a promise to revitalize the health sectors and bring education to a level befitting a country like Nigeria. He has since hired the hands of technocrats to bring his vision to fruition. And with the quality of steps taken so far, it is assumed that this administration would deliver on its promises. The promise of making Nigeria a country of which its citizens would be proud to call their own.
Reeling out statistics without corresponding actions in terms of spirited commitment would amount to an analytical jamboree. It’s on this vein that the committed steps taken by the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin calls for critical analysis and preview.
His innovative integrated approach of addressing the problem of maternal health is highly commendably. The approach which has in it package a uniform guideline for all states healthcare providers would see State’s Commissioners of Health follow a common framework that will ensure that women receive the best form maternal health care that would significantly reduce the incidence of maternal deaths.
And achieving this honestly does not lay on the single purview of the minister alone, it calls for a collective action of all stakeholders as far as maternal health is concern. With everyone doing his or her own bidding, I manifestly see a drastic reduction in maternal deaths. It shouldn’t be just a government thing but wholesome involvements of all. In my strong opinion, the funding of Health system should be an altruistic involvement of all Nigerians. This can be done in such a subtle manner that the good people of Nigeria cannot feel the bite so harsh. Lets every item bought by every Nigerian carry a ten naira tax on it. Better still, essentials like recharging of phone sets, buying of automobiles, tobacco products, soft drinks, Alcohol, motor fares, and other life essentials.
This can equally be complemented by religious bodies where certain percentage of offerings and sadakas are set aside for maternal health. Contributory gestures of highly placed Nigerians can also go a long way in strengthening maternal health in Nigeria.
The final realization of this initiative can come from the huge contributions of corporate organizations as part of their corporate responsibility packages. Where we have the private partnership of this people as it is been canvassed by Professor Osotimehin, then the perennial scare of deaths recorded in the cause of maternal responsibilities would be a thing of the past.
Already, this altruistic effort is beginning to gain momentum by some individuals as seen by the recent efforts of the Senate Committee led by Senator Iyabo Bello Obasanjo who is lobbying her colleagues to sacrifice personally from their pockets whatever they can give to support the reduction in maternal mortality rate. Her involvement of donor agencies during the celebration of the Mothers Days is the type of personal involvement that is being advocated here.
We can do it because the health of our women is a paramount natural responsibility; we owe them the duty to ensure their well being as they go through the excruciating sacrifices of life for us. With this, we are very sure of reducing the scary statistics of our maternal mortality rate.
Abdullahi O.Haruna Haruspice wrote in from Abuja.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
WHO Partners Osotimehin on Research for Infectious Diseases of Poverty
As part of government’s effort for strengthening comprehensive health system in Nigeria, the World Health Organization, (WHO) has given a boost to the Federal Ministry of Health with the take off of its Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases in Nigeria.
Speaking during the first annual meeting of the Thematic Reference Group (TRG) on Health Systems and Implementation Research held in Abuja, the WHO Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Peter Eriki, said the success of disease control interventions ultimately depends on the nature and performance of the health system in any given country or setting. Thus, it has become necessary to systemically review research evidence and evaluate its relevance to disease control needs and assess challenges facing the government of developing countries in building their effective health care system. He promised to highlight significant advice, guidance on priority areas and critical gaps and needs for research on infectious diseases of poverty from a health system perspective.
Dr. Eriki stressed that responding to the health needs of the poorest will require a major scale-up of coverage of good-quality primary care, referral to first-level hospital care, and mechanisms to protect poor households from catastrophic health care payments. The TDR, he added, has set up a Thematic Reference Group (TRG) for the country’s health system and implementation as this will address these critical issues over the years to come. The meeting in Abuja, Nigeria is the first meeting for members of the TRG to discuss relevant key issues and agree on how to plan and achieve the objectives expected.
Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, in his response thanked WHO and TDR for the opportunity given to Nigeria to host the Thematic Reference Group, stating that, in order to promote rational decision-making in programmatic and policy matters, health managers and policy makers need evidence-based information that would emanate from health research.
Osotimehin tasked the Thematic Group to consider assisting Nigeria in enhancing her capacity to undertake research as the country would gain a lot from the conduct and application of findings from implementation and impact research in the health sector.
“We need to rapidly increase the number of researchers who would possess the required skill for conducting research in these areas including the capacity to undertake socio-economic analysis of the designs of the delivery of our programmes”, he added.
The Minister promised to assist the researchers facilitate access to the means (technical assistance, grants) for undertaking the research studies. He further called on the Thematic Group to see the country’s health policies and programmes as suitable subjects for implementation and impact research.
Speaking during the first annual meeting of the Thematic Reference Group (TRG) on Health Systems and Implementation Research held in Abuja, the WHO Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Peter Eriki, said the success of disease control interventions ultimately depends on the nature and performance of the health system in any given country or setting. Thus, it has become necessary to systemically review research evidence and evaluate its relevance to disease control needs and assess challenges facing the government of developing countries in building their effective health care system. He promised to highlight significant advice, guidance on priority areas and critical gaps and needs for research on infectious diseases of poverty from a health system perspective.
Dr. Eriki stressed that responding to the health needs of the poorest will require a major scale-up of coverage of good-quality primary care, referral to first-level hospital care, and mechanisms to protect poor households from catastrophic health care payments. The TDR, he added, has set up a Thematic Reference Group (TRG) for the country’s health system and implementation as this will address these critical issues over the years to come. The meeting in Abuja, Nigeria is the first meeting for members of the TRG to discuss relevant key issues and agree on how to plan and achieve the objectives expected.
Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, in his response thanked WHO and TDR for the opportunity given to Nigeria to host the Thematic Reference Group, stating that, in order to promote rational decision-making in programmatic and policy matters, health managers and policy makers need evidence-based information that would emanate from health research.
Osotimehin tasked the Thematic Group to consider assisting Nigeria in enhancing her capacity to undertake research as the country would gain a lot from the conduct and application of findings from implementation and impact research in the health sector.
“We need to rapidly increase the number of researchers who would possess the required skill for conducting research in these areas including the capacity to undertake socio-economic analysis of the designs of the delivery of our programmes”, he added.
The Minister promised to assist the researchers facilitate access to the means (technical assistance, grants) for undertaking the research studies. He further called on the Thematic Group to see the country’s health policies and programmes as suitable subjects for implementation and impact research.
LOCAL DRUG MANUFACTURERS SEEK OSOTIMEHIN’S SUPPORT
In a bid to strengthen and increase the stakes of local manufacturing in Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has strongly called on the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for the manufacturing of local drugs.
The PMG-MAN made this appeal during its recent visit to the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin in his office. The group, led by its Chairman, Dr. Joseph Odumodu called on the Minister to use his spirited goodwill to get the Government to facilitate the industry’s access to cheap fund, put up a criteria to select competent and qualified Pharmaceutical industries to receive additional government support towards achieving fast-track WHO-pre-qualified status within one year, creating enabling regulatory support through capacity building, facilitate linkage with international and local partners for capacity building and to ensure that a recurrent gap of 35% is met in the National Drug Policy.
Stressing further, Dr. Odumodo decried the negative impact of donors’ influence on the local manufacturing industry should all the drugs be imported. To forestall the collapse of local drug manufacturing industries, Dr Odumodo maintained that the Pharmaceutical industry be accorded a ‘Special Status’, because the availability of essential medicines is critical to the success of healthcare delivery. “We believe essential medicines have security implications for survival of our nation hence our commitment to self –sufficiency in basic medicines for Nigeria as a nation” he added.
Professor Osotimehin, while responding, thanked the group for their patriotic and spirited efforts and promised to actively support any form of local initiatives aimed at producing local drugs as Nigeria has the capacity to provide a framework for Africa, and indeed the world. “We as Government, have great responsibility and commitment to be able to fund and sustain local research efforts. We will work actively and collectively with supporting agencies like NAFDAC, NIPRD and the Health Ministry to make sure your request gets to the appropriate quarters. We have to work hard to such a level that, we would be able to connect with the international market”. Osotimehin said.
In demonstrating the penchant for the domestication of indigenous initiatives, Osotimehin said, two indigenous companies have been awarded the production of mosquito treated bed-nets, challenging the group to also come up with local chemicals that would be used to treat the bed-nets as it would not be economical to have the bed –nets produced in Nigeria and the chemicals imported. “We should take advantage of the resources at our disposal to have a benchmark for quality as there is no substitute for the best.” The minister further called for the immediate formation of a forum that would fast track the realization of the initiative.
In the same vein, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the Local Pharmaceutical manufacturing company takes full charge of drugs manufacturing that is within their capacity. Stating that, the Ministries of Commerce, Finance and the Bank of Industry would be actively involved in the bid to support the robust idea of the PMG-MAN as such effort would create employment opportunities to Nigerians and strengthen National Security. “If Donors cannot patronize our local manufacturing drug companies, then they would have to keep their funding as we would fall back to our merger resources” he said.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), which is an umbrella organization of bona-fide Pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, has a strong membership of over a hundred group of locally based manufacturers.
With a current employment rate of over 3000 Nigerians some of whom are skilled and are experts in Pharmaceutical manufacturing, formulation technology, sales and marketing. The group has a revenue base of N40 billion and the supply of over 35 percent of Nigeria’s drug needs, with tested excess capacities for several therapeutic areas like analgesics, anti-malarias, cough and cold preparations.
The PMG-MAN made this appeal during its recent visit to the Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin in his office. The group, led by its Chairman, Dr. Joseph Odumodu called on the Minister to use his spirited goodwill to get the Government to facilitate the industry’s access to cheap fund, put up a criteria to select competent and qualified Pharmaceutical industries to receive additional government support towards achieving fast-track WHO-pre-qualified status within one year, creating enabling regulatory support through capacity building, facilitate linkage with international and local partners for capacity building and to ensure that a recurrent gap of 35% is met in the National Drug Policy.
Stressing further, Dr. Odumodo decried the negative impact of donors’ influence on the local manufacturing industry should all the drugs be imported. To forestall the collapse of local drug manufacturing industries, Dr Odumodo maintained that the Pharmaceutical industry be accorded a ‘Special Status’, because the availability of essential medicines is critical to the success of healthcare delivery. “We believe essential medicines have security implications for survival of our nation hence our commitment to self –sufficiency in basic medicines for Nigeria as a nation” he added.
Professor Osotimehin, while responding, thanked the group for their patriotic and spirited efforts and promised to actively support any form of local initiatives aimed at producing local drugs as Nigeria has the capacity to provide a framework for Africa, and indeed the world. “We as Government, have great responsibility and commitment to be able to fund and sustain local research efforts. We will work actively and collectively with supporting agencies like NAFDAC, NIPRD and the Health Ministry to make sure your request gets to the appropriate quarters. We have to work hard to such a level that, we would be able to connect with the international market”. Osotimehin said.
In demonstrating the penchant for the domestication of indigenous initiatives, Osotimehin said, two indigenous companies have been awarded the production of mosquito treated bed-nets, challenging the group to also come up with local chemicals that would be used to treat the bed-nets as it would not be economical to have the bed –nets produced in Nigeria and the chemicals imported. “We should take advantage of the resources at our disposal to have a benchmark for quality as there is no substitute for the best.” The minister further called for the immediate formation of a forum that would fast track the realization of the initiative.
In the same vein, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the Local Pharmaceutical manufacturing company takes full charge of drugs manufacturing that is within their capacity. Stating that, the Ministries of Commerce, Finance and the Bank of Industry would be actively involved in the bid to support the robust idea of the PMG-MAN as such effort would create employment opportunities to Nigerians and strengthen National Security. “If Donors cannot patronize our local manufacturing drug companies, then they would have to keep their funding as we would fall back to our merger resources” he said.
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), which is an umbrella organization of bona-fide Pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, has a strong membership of over a hundred group of locally based manufacturers.
With a current employment rate of over 3000 Nigerians some of whom are skilled and are experts in Pharmaceutical manufacturing, formulation technology, sales and marketing. The group has a revenue base of N40 billion and the supply of over 35 percent of Nigeria’s drug needs, with tested excess capacities for several therapeutic areas like analgesics, anti-malarias, cough and cold preparations.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Update on the A(H1N1) Influenza
• As at 13th May 2009, thirty three (33) countries have officially reported 5728 cases of Influenza A/H1N1 infection in humans
• Mexico has reported 2059 confirmed cases with 56 deaths while, the USA has reported 3009 Laboratory confirmed human cases of Influenza A(H1N1) with 3 deaths.
• Canada has also recorded 358 cases with 1 death and Costa Rica 8 cases with 1 death
• The following countries have also reported laboratory confirmed cases but with no death: Spain (98), Austria (1), New Zealand (7), Israel (7,) Germany (12), the United Kingdom (68), Denmark (1), Colombia (6), El Salvador (4), France (13), Ireland (1), Republic of Korea (3), Switzerland (1), China -Hong Kong and China (3), Guatemala (3), Italy (9), Portugal (1), Netherlands (3), Sweden (2), Poland (1), Brazil (8), Argentina (1), Panama (29), Australia (1), Cuba (1), Finland (2), Thailand (2), Japan (4) and Norway (2).
• So far the deaths recorded have been from Mexico (56), the USA (3), Canada (1) and Costa Rica (1), making a total of 61 deaths recorded.
Current situation in Nigeria as at 13th May 2009.
1. As at 13th May 2009 Nigeria has not recorded any suspected case of Influenza A/H1N1.
The Federal Ministry of Health recommends routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as washing your hands often, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
For more information, please contact Dr J.Y. Jiya, DPH, FMOH, Abuja . Tel 08060495210, e-mail: jiyajy@yahoo.com, Dr. A Nasidi, Director Special Project, FMOH, Abuja . Tel 08037006849, e-mail nasidia@gmail.com, and Dr Henry Akpan, National Epidemiologist, FMOH, Abuja. Tel 08037626718, e-mail: akpanhem@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Niyi Ojuolape
Special Assistant (Communications) to the Minister of Health
• Mexico has reported 2059 confirmed cases with 56 deaths while, the USA has reported 3009 Laboratory confirmed human cases of Influenza A(H1N1) with 3 deaths.
• Canada has also recorded 358 cases with 1 death and Costa Rica 8 cases with 1 death
• The following countries have also reported laboratory confirmed cases but with no death: Spain (98), Austria (1), New Zealand (7), Israel (7,) Germany (12), the United Kingdom (68), Denmark (1), Colombia (6), El Salvador (4), France (13), Ireland (1), Republic of Korea (3), Switzerland (1), China -Hong Kong and China (3), Guatemala (3), Italy (9), Portugal (1), Netherlands (3), Sweden (2), Poland (1), Brazil (8), Argentina (1), Panama (29), Australia (1), Cuba (1), Finland (2), Thailand (2), Japan (4) and Norway (2).
• So far the deaths recorded have been from Mexico (56), the USA (3), Canada (1) and Costa Rica (1), making a total of 61 deaths recorded.
Current situation in Nigeria as at 13th May 2009.
1. As at 13th May 2009 Nigeria has not recorded any suspected case of Influenza A/H1N1.
The Federal Ministry of Health recommends routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as washing your hands often, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
For more information, please contact Dr J.Y. Jiya, DPH, FMOH, Abuja . Tel 08060495210, e-mail: jiyajy@yahoo.com, Dr. A Nasidi, Director Special Project, FMOH, Abuja . Tel 08037006849, e-mail nasidia@gmail.com, and Dr Henry Akpan, National Epidemiologist, FMOH, Abuja. Tel 08037626718, e-mail: akpanhem@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Niyi Ojuolape
Special Assistant (Communications) to the Minister of Health
Monday, May 4, 2009
NIGERIA IS SWINE –FLU FREE, OSOTIMEHIN
Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin has come out strong that Nigeria has not recorded any trace of the swine-flu that is spreading fast across the world. He made this statement during an emergency meeting of stakeholders and Partners on Swine Flu in his office. “So far as at 30th April 2009, Nigeria has not recorded any suspected case of Swine flu and the Federal Government of Nigeria is prepared to contain any outbreak of Swine Flu in the Country”. He said.
In order to promptly detect and effectively respond to any suspected case, the Ministry has put in place; The National Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee to include state commissioners of Health, the WHO case definition with surveillance guidelines and Swine Flu Laboratory guidelines disseminated to all States Ministries of Health including clinicians and the states’ Epidemiologists have also been directed to carry out sensitization activities and conduct surveillance in their various states. Stressing further that surveillance has been strengthened at all ports of entry into the country and all Federal Port Health Services Officers are on the alert at all international Airports.
Osotimehin also said that immediate steps of procuring drugs and supplies and Laboratory Reagents, madia ,training of State’s Directors of Public health, Epidemiologists, Prepositioning of drugs and supplies in all the States including FCT and Federal Hospitals, training of Port Health Services officers on swine flu identification, Training of Laboratory Scientists on the laboratory confirmation of Swine Flu, and sensitization meetings with International Health Regulations/Stakeholders on Swine flu have been taken.
Meanwhile, Dr. Junaidu Maina, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has said that the Swine Flu is a human disease, as there has been no scientific proof that it’s transmitted from pig but from human to human. The Country Representative of the World Health Organization, WHO has reiterated the WHO’s commitment in addressing the possible outbreak of the Swine Flu.
The Minister added that mechanisms would be put in place to ensure the massive creation of awareness to reach the public with special awareness campaign package on NTA Network news, the FRCN and FM Stations across the 36 States and FCT.
It will be recalled that on the 25th April 2009, The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico and the USA; this was in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR2005) of which Nigeria is a signatory. So far, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 infections in humans, with the USA confirming the human case of Swine influenza in 6 states with 1 death recorded in a 23 months old toddler. Meanwhile, Mexico appeared to top the countries with the highest record of the Swine Flu. So far, 26 cases have been confirmed with 7 deaths recorded, while Canada had so far recorded 13 cases and no death and Spain with 4 confirmed cases with no death. The following countries have also reported laboratory confirmed cases but with no death: Austria (1), New Zealand (3), Israel (2), Germany (30) and the United Kingdom with five cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said, “While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase % is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measure is now”
In order to promptly detect and effectively respond to any suspected case, the Ministry has put in place; The National Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee to include state commissioners of Health, the WHO case definition with surveillance guidelines and Swine Flu Laboratory guidelines disseminated to all States Ministries of Health including clinicians and the states’ Epidemiologists have also been directed to carry out sensitization activities and conduct surveillance in their various states. Stressing further that surveillance has been strengthened at all ports of entry into the country and all Federal Port Health Services Officers are on the alert at all international Airports.
Osotimehin also said that immediate steps of procuring drugs and supplies and Laboratory Reagents, madia ,training of State’s Directors of Public health, Epidemiologists, Prepositioning of drugs and supplies in all the States including FCT and Federal Hospitals, training of Port Health Services officers on swine flu identification, Training of Laboratory Scientists on the laboratory confirmation of Swine Flu, and sensitization meetings with International Health Regulations/Stakeholders on Swine flu have been taken.
Meanwhile, Dr. Junaidu Maina, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has said that the Swine Flu is a human disease, as there has been no scientific proof that it’s transmitted from pig but from human to human. The Country Representative of the World Health Organization, WHO has reiterated the WHO’s commitment in addressing the possible outbreak of the Swine Flu.
The Minister added that mechanisms would be put in place to ensure the massive creation of awareness to reach the public with special awareness campaign package on NTA Network news, the FRCN and FM Stations across the 36 States and FCT.
It will be recalled that on the 25th April 2009, The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico and the USA; this was in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR2005) of which Nigeria is a signatory. So far, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 infections in humans, with the USA confirming the human case of Swine influenza in 6 states with 1 death recorded in a 23 months old toddler. Meanwhile, Mexico appeared to top the countries with the highest record of the Swine Flu. So far, 26 cases have been confirmed with 7 deaths recorded, while Canada had so far recorded 13 cases and no death and Spain with 4 confirmed cases with no death. The following countries have also reported laboratory confirmed cases but with no death: Austria (1), New Zealand (3), Israel (2), Germany (30) and the United Kingdom with five cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said, “While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase % is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measure is now”
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