The Society of Obstetric Anaesthetists of Nigeria (SOAN), in partnership with the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) and the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), has called for urgent action to prevent women from dying from excessive bleeding during or after childbirth.
The call was made during a webinar organised to mark the 2026 World Obstetric Haemorrhage Day in Nigeria on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The virtual programme brought together obstetricians, anaesthetists, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals to discuss ways of preventing maternal deaths caused by obstetric haemorrhage.
The programme was convened by the President of SOAN and Consultant Anaesthetist at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof. Simeon Olugbade Olateju and moderated by Dr. Ibrahim Dekah, Consultant Anaesthetist at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.
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Speakers included Prof. Elizabeth Ogboli Nwasor of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; Prof. Nosakhare Edomwonyi of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Prof. Obashina Ogunbiyi of the International University of Management, Windhoek, Namibia; Prof. Olushola Kushimo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Dr. Fatima Aminu Mahmud of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; Dr. Abayomi Ojo of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ila-Orangun; and Dr. Ifeyinwa Maureen Okeke of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
The stakeholders described bleeding after childbirth as the commonest cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria, accounting for 25 per cent of such deaths, and called it a preventable national crisis requiring immediate action.
They warned that severe bleeding after childbirth can kill within minutes, stressing the importance of prompt treatment and coordinated emergency care.
According to the stakeholders, regular training of healthcare workers and emergency drills could improve the response to obstetric haemorrhage and save lives.
They called for a prompt and aggressive multidisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, anaesthetists, nurses, haematologists, laboratory scientists, blood bank personnel and other support staff.
The group also urged pregnant women, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies, to book for antenatal care early.
It called on husbands, families, communities, traditional institutions, churches and mosques to support efforts to create greater awareness of the dangers of excessive bleeding during and after childbirth.
The stakeholders further advocated universal access to national health insurance, subsidised maternal healthcare, or free maternal services provided by the government.
They called for government-led advocacy at all levels and improved funding for maternal healthcare, stating that every maternal healthcare facility should have skilled personnel, clearly defined treatment protocols, functional resuscitation equipment, adequate blood products and essential drugs.
The stakeholders, which urged healthcare workers to pay attention to prevention, management and proper documentation of obstetric haemorrhage, stressed the need for early referral to higher-level facilities where necessary, as well as proper follow-up of patients, noting that accurate documentation was also important for medico-legal purposes.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, the stakeholders stated: “No mother should die while giving life,” while also summarising their message in three words: “Awareness. Prevention. Action.”
They urged all stakeholders to act immediately to save mothers and end preventable deaths from obstetric haemorrhage.
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