TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The President of Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Prof. Oluwarotimi Akinola has commended the Federal Capital Territory Adminstration (FCTA) for the establishment of a budget line for the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) project of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON).
While adding that the programme has has reduce in no small measure the rate of maternal mortality in the territory.
He gave this communication when he led a delegation of Executive members of the Society on a courtesy visit to the FCTA in Abuja.
Akinola further stated that, the MPDSR project in the FCT has increased consciousness and accountability of health workers as the hospital and Primary Health Care staff have become more conscious on issues relating to maternal and perinatal deaths.
According to him; “The Society introduced the MPDSR in 6 health facilities of the FCT, namely Nyanya , Bwari and Kwali General Hospitals and the Primary Healthcare centers at Kwali, Gbadalape and Kogo adding that the implementation of the MPDSR project in these areas has reduced the maternal mortality ratio in the FCT to below the national average.
“In Bwari Area Council, the maternal mortality ratio was reduced from 504/100,000 in 2014 to 468/100,000 in 2019, while maternal mortality was reduced from 317/100,000 in 2014 to 221/100,000 in 2019 in Nyanya, while the figures dropped in Kwali Area Council from 329/100,000 in 2014 to 268/100,000 in 2019.
” The national average in 2008, 2013 and 2018 were 545/100,000, 576/100,000 and 512/100,000 respectively.”
However, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello reiterated the commitment of the Administration to the development of Primary Healthcare Centers in the FCT.
According to him, in furtherance of efforts to improve services at the Primary Healthcare level, the FCTA recently employed 203 volunteer midwives and Community Health Extension workers and called on the Society to work very closely with the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Office of the Hon. Minister of State for the continual provision of maternal healthcare services to the women of the FCT.
The FCT Minister , however, appealed to medical Doctors not to embark on strike actions especially as the world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that those most affected by industrial actions are the more vulnerable members of society including women requiring maternal care.
Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Health (Dr) Tanko Sununu commended the FCT Administration for the construction of the road leading to the offices of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and the National Center for Disease Control.
