Nigeria accounts for 25% of global maternal deaths – UN

The United Nations (UN) said Nigeria accounts for 25 per cent of maternal deaths recorded globally.

It also said one in 22 Nigerian women risks dying during pregnancy and childbirth.

UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, revealed this in Abuja on Wednesday during the second annual National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Network Conference.

She said, “Statistics show that Nigeria contributes at least 25% of maternal mortality. So, this is actually a very serious thing that all of us should contribute.

“A pregnant woman faces a lifetime risk of dying around pregnancy and delivery and in Nigeria, in a rate of 1 in every 22. Meanwhile, in developed countries, it’s about 1 to over 4,000 because of different reasons.”

The UN Women representative called on government, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to move beyond policy declarations and address the underlying social and economic factors contributing to maternal deaths.

She urged stakeholders to develop concrete recommendations on preventing gender-based violence, protecting human rights defenders, improving access to justice and implementing existing laws and international commitments.

The Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Ayodele, said young people could not fully realise their potential or participate meaningfully in governance and economic development without access to safe and equitable sexual and reproductive health information and services.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Gender Matters, Kehinde Awujoola, the minister described sexual and reproductive health and rights as fundamental human rights and an important component of empowerment.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Federal Government recognised sexual and reproductive health and rights as integral to human dignity, equitable development and universal health coverage.

Pate, who was represented by the Director of the Health Promotion Division in the ministry, John Uruakpa, said improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health remained a priority in the government’s efforts to strengthen the health system.