Expert Blames Maternal, Infant Mortality On Poverty

A gynaecologist with a private hospital in Abuja, Dr Charles Agugua, has identified poverty as a major cause of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.
Agugua said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, recently.
He expressed concern that poverty had prevented many women from getting proper and adequate medical attention as well as good antenatal care.
The gynaecologist also identified poverty as a major barrier to human development, noting that high level poverty had limited people’s bid, especially women to have access to quality health care.
He said that more than 70 percent of maternal deaths in Nigeria was due to five major complications: hemorrhage, infection, unsafe abortion, hypertension arising from pregnancy and obstructed labour.
“The consequence of this is the uncaring attitude of many health care providers in the context of maternal care.
“The ethics of medical care emphasises the need to show care to vulnerable patients, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
‘’This will enhance quality care and foster good relationships between health care providers and their patients,” he said.
Agugua  emphasised the relationship between poverty and maternal mortality and called for the reinforcement of  the reproductive health problem of the country.
He called for focused strategy that would enable pregnant women with complications have access to the medical interventions of emergency obstetrical care.
The expert also called for the upgrading of rural health centres and referral hospitals and stocking them with the necessary drugs and equipment to boost their effort in carrying out obstetrical services.
He also stressed the need to train health workers and develop strong referral systems between communities and health care facilities to check delays in cases that posed threat to life.
“A referral system includes, means of communication and transport as well as mechanisms for ensuring that referral facilities are able to provide services at all hours.”
Agugua further called on government to establish supportive policies that would help the system work better and faster.