Financial predicament, cause of maternal mortality ― Agency

Financial predicament has been identified as one of the major causes of maternal mortality in the country due to the fact that many pregnant women do not go to hospitals because of lack of money to access quality healthcare services.

The declaration was made on Monday  by the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA)  Dr Rilwanu Mohammed during the launching of a campaign program on the need for pregnant women to be visiting health facilities for ante-natal and delivery tagged ‘ Albishirinku’ organised by ‘Break-through Action- Nigeria Project’ and launched by the First Lady of the state, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed.

Represented by a Director in the Agency, Bello Mustapha the Executive Secretary said that of the 6.8 million population of the state, about 340,000 people are pregnant women revealing that only 90, 000 among them go to health facilities for ante-natal.

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He called for intensive sensitisation to women to be visiting hospitals during pregnancy and delivery as part of measures to mitigate mother and child mortality rate.

Also speaking, the Project State Coordinator of Break-through Action-Nigeria Project, Usman Inuwa explained that the program which is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be conducted in Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

According to him, the campaign focuses on 17 health areas including enlightenment on the safety of pregnant mothers, their children, nutrition and advocacy for ante-natal and vaccination among others.

He added that the campaign would include house to house sensitisation to women, husbands at public gatherings, Media gingles and drama on the need for women to be visiting health facilities from pregnancy to labour.

In her remarks, the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed lauded the organisation for the campaign asking traditional and religious leaders to join the campaign so that the message would be accepted by the people.

The first lady also promised that her office would support the program in order to ensure that it succeeded and reduce maternal mortality rates in the state.

Aisha Bala Mohammed also used the occasion to advise pregnant women to go to the hospital for ante-natal and post-natal care for the health of their children and themselves.