Maternal mortality: FG to support local production of calibrated drape

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, says the federal government will support the local production of calibrated drapes to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria.

Pate spoke in Abuja on Monday, at a press conference to mark the 2024 national safe motherhood day.

A calibrated drape is a specialised device used by healthcare experts to measure or estimate the amount of blood loss during child delivery.

While launching the device, Pate said it would help in monitoring and controlling postpartum haemorrhage, a serious childbirth complication.

He said the government would also support the local production of magnesium sulphate to improve healthcare services for pregnant women.

The minister asked women to acquire one calibrated drape, adding that postpartum haemorrhage is one of the highest causes of maternal mortality globally.

“The document ‘Management of Preeclampsia/Eclampsia; use of Antenatal Corticosteroids in Preterm Births and Labour Care Guide’ would be used alongside Partograph (a tool for monitoring maternal and foetal wellbeing during the active phase of labour),” NAN quoted Pate as saying.

“This is till the scale-up is achieved in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“In the same light, the mortality rate among newborns, often attributed to birth asphyxia and complications related to premature births are equally alarming.

“These statistics are not just numbers but represent real mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, nieces, children, and babies.

“We have made progress but it is not enough, every death of a mother is an unfortunate incident and there is no level of maternal mortality that is acceptable.

“In spite of the progress that we have seen, PPH remains a very important cause of maternal mortality and newborn mortality, asphyxia and complications of preterm.”

He further said all women have a right to access quality healthcare before, during and after childbirth.

“It is incumbent upon us, as leaders and advocates, to uphold this basic right and work tirelessly towards its realisation,” the minister said.

“We must ensure there is quality healthcare in reducing maternal mortality, women should have access to basic emergency obstetric care, comprehensive emergency obstetric care in our facilities alongside the commodities necessary to ensure safety at birth.

“Our strategic blueprint, to “save lives, reduce both physical and financial pain and produce health for all Nigerians” is anchored around Nigeria’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

“The sector-wide approach (SWAp), a component of our strategic blueprint through the decentralised facility financing (DFF) package targets about seven million pregnancies and over six million new births annually.”

Pate called on stakeholders to work collectively to ensure no woman dies of childbirth complications in the country.