By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
As Nigeria joins in the global celebration of the 2021 Patient Safety Day, the World Health Organization, WHO has commended the Federal Government for it’s efforts in establishing the Patient Safety Bill.
WHO Country Representative to Nigeria and the Head of Mission Dr. moeti Matshidiso gave this commendation in a message to mark the day in Nigeria.
The theme for the 2021 Patient Safety Day is ” Safe maternal and newborn care” with a campaign to “act now for safe and respectable childbirth”.
Matshidiso said that this year’s theme is apt as Nigeria continues in ir’s efforts to ensure safe birth and reduce the high maternal and newborn mortality in the country.”
In the light of this the National Demographic Health Survey in Nigeria shows a ratio of 512/1000 live births and newborn mortality at 39 per 1000 livebirths.
Meanwhile the African Region contributes nearly 7out of 10 maternal deaths and 1 out of 3 newborn deaths globally, the WHO Country Representative noted.
Speaking further on the health calamities the Region faces, Matshidiso enumerated major causes of maternal mortality among pregnant women as postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive diseases, and sepsis and in newborns top causes of deaths includes premature birth, babies not getting enough oxygen during births and infections.
She noted that women are confronted with a range of of confrontations of challenges as patients, often face physical and verbal abuse and exclusion from decision makings about their care .
According to Matshidiso many of these deaths could be prevented by making sure patients feel safe respected and that their needs are heard and acted on, adding that by equipping the health workers with knowledge, skills and tools to take life- saving action.”
“We need to do something to stop the preventable deaths by ensuring our health facilities provide high quality , safe and effective healthcare.”
The situation was made worst during the the pandemic , some people have avoided seeking care in health facilities for fear of catching COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, Matshidiso noted.
She emphazied that the current spate of maternal deaths was heightened by the COVID- 19!pandemic with many people have avoided seeking care in hospitals for fear of catching the virus or other infectious disease, adding that to combat this hesitancy there is need to build community as well as invest more in good infection prevention and control practices.
She called on all stakeholders such as governments , civil society, the private sector, health workers and communities to speak up for patient safety and to act now for safe and respectful childbirth.
Daybreak reports that the World Patient Safety Day is celebrated every year on 17 September, to raise awareness of the importance of people-centred care and preventing harm to patients.
