Lagos Deploys Strategies To Tackle Maternal Mortality

The Lagos State Commis
sioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, has said that Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction (MCMR) strategies employed by the state government were yielding dividends.
According to a statement issued in Lagos by the state’s Ministry of Health, Idris said that MCMR strategies were fashioned toward addressing specific causes of maternal and child mortality.
He said that since the commencement of the MCMR programme in October 2012, key indicators showed that the strategies were yielding results.
“We have been collecting data to see how far we have gone and if there is a need for us to amend or change our strategies.
“There has been an increase in ante-natal attendance, increase in deliveries and increase in patronage of child survival interventions like immunisation against childhood killer diseases.
“Also, we discovered an increase in women accessing family planning services,” he said.
Idris also admitted that there were some delays in seeking assistance and accessing qualitative care for pregnant women and children,
He identified public enlightenment and infrastructure as areas that needed to be addressed in the MCMR design.
“Delay in seeking appropriate medical help for obstetric emergencies for reasons of cost.
“Lack of recognition of an emergency and lack of access to information and gender inequity, delay in reaching an appropriate health facility for reasons of distance, infrastructure and transport;
“ Delay in receiving adequate care because of sub-optimal complement of human resources, inadequate utilities such as electricity, water and unavailability of medical supplies are critical factors, “ he said.
Idris said that there were plans for a renewed health advocacy and sensitisation campaigns, especially in communities where maternal and child health indices were not encouraging.
According to him, town hall meetings have been scheduled for the 20 local government areas with Ajeromi Local Government Area serving as take-off point.
On infrastructural development, the commissioner said that the state government had commenced the construction of 10 Maternal and Child Centres (MCCs) at strategic areas.