Women in Lagos State have cried out to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode over what they described as the exorbitant cost of accessing maternal healthcare in government-owned medical facilities in the state, demanding that the state government redefine the term ‘free healthcare’ which it claims to be offering to expectant women.
According to researchers, a substantial proportion of neonatal deaths occur from infections; neonatal tetanus inclusive of the umbilical cord. Cord care practices may directly contribute to infections in the newborn which accounts for the 26 per cent of global under five deaths, experts say. Evidence from studies also show that the prevalence of cord infection in newborns ranges from 3 to 5.5 per cent in most developing countries.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) commends the on-going effort by the Kano State Government in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at renovating the dilapidated Dausara Primary Health Care Centre, in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano state which had suffered from long-time policy neglect, rendering the facility monumentally inefficient to discharge maternal and child healthcare services.
The World Health Organisation observes that out of more than 56 million cases of abortions that take place globally each year, almost half of the cases are done through unsafe procedures.
It notes further that between 2010 and 2014, there were 55.7 million abortion cases every year and out of these, 17.1 million cases were unsafe.
Elimination of new infections among children and ensuring safe motherhood by 2020 is among the goals of the national programme for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
To this effect, the country is targeting to provide quality HIV testing with results and counselling for 75 per cent of all pregnant women in the country by 2020.
It will also ensure that 60 per cent of all HIV positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers receive ARV drugs the same period.
A medical researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun, on Tuesday advised expectant mothers to always seek appropriate healthcare services during pregnancy to reduce maternal deaths in Nigeria.
Hauwa Lassa worked 35 years as a nurse and midwife. Her retirement package is a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Maiduguri.
In the three states worst hit by the Boko Haram violence in its eight year, health facilities have been damaged and health workers have fled.
Estimates suggest nearly 40% of health facilities have been destroyed in the violence, and skilled health workers have had to leave the area entirely.
There is growing alarm among healthcare professionals around the world about the rising incidence of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers seen in women worldwide.
It occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated when it is found early. It is usually found at a very early stage through a Pap Test.
KURAYE is a rural community that is few kilometres off Katsina city. It is located in Charanchi local government near the state capital. It is home to a large population of rural dwellers, mostly farmers and artisans.
After spending over 45 minutes on a hired motorcycle, scouting the village to locate the PHC, lo and Behold! The only PHC in the community was an eyesore. The project was a constituency intervention built in 2010 but has never been put to use!
Ogun State government has pledged to ensure zero maternal and child mortality, through qualitative and efficient health care delivery.
