By Anne Azuka
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has assured that his administration was committed to ensuring women of reproductive age and children have access to free and quality health services in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye stated this during the One Day Reproductive Health Stakeholders Dialogue on the Strategies and Reforms to Finally End Preventable Maternal Mortality and Improving Maternal Health Capacity “The Delta State Context” to Commemorate Safe Motherhood Day in Asaba.
Ononye, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Philomena Okeowo reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to promoting safe motherhood.
According to him, Reducing maternal deaths requires a collective effort from government, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and individuals must all take responsibility to ensure that every woman has access to quality health care services.
“By so doing, we can prevent needless deaths and disabilities and improve the health and well being of women and children.
“In Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response Report 2019-2020, Delta State Maternal Mortality rate is 189/100,000 live birth in 2020.
The Health Commissioner described the figures as unacceptable, saying that they underscore the need for the State to prioritize Safe Motherhood Practices like quality ante-natal care, family planning which are pillars of safe Motherhood initiative.
While stating that ante-natal care services are very important in ensuring the safety of mother and child. Dr. Ononye noted that these services were also critical in detecting and addressing any potential health risks that might arise during pregnancy.
He disclosed that through regular check-ups, healthcare providers could identify potential complications and provide necessary interventions to ensure that a mother have positive pregnancy experience with minimal complications.
According to him, Family planning services are also crucial in promoting safe Motherhood. It has numerous benefits for women, children, families and the society as a whole, including reducing unintended pregnancies, empowering women, promoting economic development, and promoting gender equality.
He expressed the need for everyone, including the government, healthcare providers, and individuals, prioritize family planning and work towards ensuring that every woman get access to different family planning options.
“Women are able to participate in the labour force, pursue education and training, contribute to the economic growth of their families and communities.
Ononye noted that the presence of skilled birth attendants during delivery was critical to ensuring safe motherhood, adding ” during childbirth, complications can arise unexpectedly, and without proper management, these complications can lead to Maternal and Neonatal Mortality “.
In his keynote address, Dr. Paul Okubor of DHB HMB listed basic principles of Safe Motherhood to include family planning, obstetric care/newborn care, PNC and post-abortion care.
To address the Maternal mortality, Dr. Okubor said that healthcare providers must remove barriers to access for healthcare and nutrition at every stage of life of a woman from conception of the girl-child.
In his remarks, a Partner, Marie-Stopes representative, Mr. Daniel Zibe said they had covered 56 facilities in Delta State where consumables for family planning were supplied.
Zibe assured that Marie-Stopes would continue to supply consumables for support until it leaves the state.
