Determined to reduce the rate of loss of lives as a result of maternal mortality, the Ogun State Government on Tuesday, launched the rural maternal health emergency transport service.
The wife of the State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, stated that the initiative would ensure the survival of women and children through prompt emergency response and referrals services using the up and spoke models.
She noted this at the flag off of the rural maternal health emergency transport service pilot scheme held at Odeda Local Government, that now fewer than 830 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and child birth on a daily basis, while 99 per cent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, like Nigeria.
Mrs Abiodun appreciated the state government for the effort in procuring 100 tricycle ambulances for distribution across the 20 local government areas of the state.
She said, “Maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44%. Between 2016 and 2030, as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, the target is maternal mortality is unacceptably high.
“About 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications around the world every day. It was estimated that in 2015, roughly 303 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Almost all of these deaths occurred in low-resource settings, and most could have been prevented.
“In Ogun State, the State Government has been making efforts to reduce maternal deaths through various interventions such as employment of over 200 nurses and midwives into the health system. The government has also procured about 100 tricycle ambulances and distributed among all the 20 LGAs.
“These among other interventions have been done to ensure safe delivery of all women and children.”
She appreciated development partners on health, especially Emergency Response Africa (ERA) for their efforts in ensuring the survival of women and children in Ogun State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, equally hinted that maternal mortality remains one of the greatest health challenges in Nigeria.
“The stark reality is that Nigeria accounts for one of the highest numbers of maternal deaths in the world. Too many mothers are lost each year to preventable causes—many of them related to delays in accessing proper medical care during childbirth. These are not just numbers; they represent lives lost, families shattered, and futures forever altered.
“We cannot and must not, accept this. The maternal health emergency transport project we launch today is an ambitious and targeted response to this challenge. It is an important step in our efforts as the Ogun State Government to reduce maternal mortality, borne out of the understanding that timely access to healthcare can make the difference between life and death for a pregnant woman facing complications.
“By providing reliable and swift transportation for pregnant women in emergencies, especially those in rural and under-served areas, we are ensuring that no woman has to face unnecessary delays in receiving the care she needs. The transport is free and 24 hours,” the commissioner added.
The Chief Executive Officer, Emergency Response Africa, Mrs. Folake Owoduni, in her remarks, said the project focuses on providing pregnant mothers and infants in rural areas with fast and reliable emergency transportation to healthcare facilities, towards reducing the high number of death in mothers and children.
She explained that there would be a dedicated ambulance tricycle and trained community first responders to carry patients to and fro primary healthcare centres, urging pregnant women to register at government ante-natal clinics to receive free vouchers to enable them benefit.
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