NAN-HG-9
Maternal
By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos Jan. 11, 2017 (NAN) Dr Afolabi Akinkunmi of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, on Wednesday called for proactive measures to overcome the challenges of maternal deaths during economic recession rocking the nation.
Akinkunmi made the call in a presentation at the quarterly NOTAGAIN Campaign CS-Media Forum organised by the Development Communications (DevComs) Network in Lagos.
Theme of the campaign is: “Knowing the Implication of Economic Recession on Maternal and Child Health Service Delivery in Nigeria.’’
Akinkunmi, also the President, National Association of Resident Doctors, LUTH chapter, said that one of the implications of economic recession on maternal health was delay to access to healthcare.
According to him, Nigeria still has a huge burden of maternal death and this is worsened by economic recession.
“To cushion the effects that come with recession, government at all levels, and even individuals, should understand the roles they have to play to overcome some of these challenges.
“One of the implications in times like this is delay in accessing healthcare, especially when the financial resources are limited.
“The kinds of delays include the primary delay which has to do with decisions to take before going to a health facility and the secondary delay.
“The secondary delay involves unavailability of transportation to access, as well as the proximity of health facilities.
“There is also tertiary delay, which has to do with factors that affect prompt treatment; like power supply, unavailability of qualified medical personnel, drugs, consumables and others,’’ he said.
Akinkunmi said that in all these, “government can contribute to overcoming maternal death through the provision of free maternal and child services, especially for middle and low income earners.
“Government should also establish more maternal and child Centres; they should also improve on family planning services, and create counselling centres, especially for adolescents.
“Most especially, there should be increased funding for the health sector; medical and health workers should be motivated and made to practice by the ethics that govern the profession.
“The importance of sensitisation can also not be over-emphasised; advocacy and enlightenment campaigns should be continuous, especially in the rural and semi-urban areas, to highlight the importance of accessing healthcare services.’’
The medical expert urged pregnant women to patronise only registered hospitals and maternity homes with qualified medical personnel.
“They should attend ante-natal clinics and adhere to the instructions they receive there, to prevent avoidable complications associated with pregnancy and child birth,’’ he said.
Akinkunmi also advised mothers to pay special attention to their nutrition, saying that it has great impact on the development of the child.
“Mothers, especially pregnant and nursing mothers should feed well; the food they eat goes a long way in determining the total wellbeing of the child.
“They should eat a lot of vegetables and fruits; they should also drink a lot of water, do relevant exercises and get enough rest,’’ he advised. (NAN)
VIV/OIF/GOK
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Olagoke Olatoye