The Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, maternal, and Child Health (Rotary-RMCH) has trained no fewer than 21 journalists to amplify the call for reducing maternal and neonatal deaths and boost skilled birth attendance with the aim of improving reproductive health in Nigeria.
The 2024 training workshop is one of the Rotary-RMCH’s key initiatives of its ongoing “Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria (THFN)” Programs of Scale (PoS) to tackle maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. It will also enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare and give rise to the reduction of neonatal and maternal mortality rates.
In Nigeria, under-five mortality stands at 132 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate is 67 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Additionally, the maternal mortality ratio is a staggering 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.
In response to this dire situation, Rotary-RMCH has intensified its efforts to find sustainable solutions to these preventable deaths.
The Country Director of Rotary-RMCH, Prof. Emmanuel Adedolapo Lufadeju, in his address, highlighted the urgent need for innovative approaches to foster positive change.
He further disclosed that Rotary Foundation created Programs of Scale to support Rotary member-led, evidence-based programs that have already demonstrated success.
He also explained that scaling proven program activities will benefit more people and foster policy development and sustainable programs.
“This program is designed for journalists interested in health and population issues. Its purpose is to promote accurate, knowledgeable, enterprising, and investigative reporting.
“By reason of this workshop, journalists across the country will contribute to reducing maternal and infant deaths and promote the use of web-based electronic data management in Nigeria.”
Similarly, the Director of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Binyerem Ukaire was represented by Barr. Nma Ogbonna, the Head of Health Promotion at the Federal Ministry of Health emphasized the media’s vital role in advancing healthy families and called for greater focus on health disparities to improve policies and outcomes for mothers and children.
“As we continue to address the challenges in reproductive, maternal, and child health, we count on your ongoing support to sustain and amplify these efforts.”
For his part, the Programme Manager Rotary-RMCH, Toyosi Adebambo, pointed out the shortage of human resources and urged the media to advocate for changes in the sector.
“There’s a policy of task shifting, putting extra pressure on doctors, whose duties are often transferred to nurses and midwives. Sometimes, midwives and nurses are redirected to community roles to keep things running. We need the media’s voice to make meaningful change. That’s why we believe you can help us.”
On the other hand, The Director of Safe Motherhood Division of the Family Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Samuel Oyeniyi called on the media to keep advocating for healthy families in Nigeria, as it will go a long way toward shifting policies for the benefit of all.
The FCT Primary Health Care Board Reproductive Health Coordinator, Maimuna Isa, stressed the importance of promoting healthy families to reduce mortality rates, eliminate poverty, and improve nutritional outcomes for a healthier society.
“We don’t have skilled attendance in the facilities. Nigeria has made no progress toward reducing maternal mortality. Investing in reproductive and maternal health services will improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, enhance economic productivity, and decrease inequality.”
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