By Aluta News
Dec. 18, 2021
A medical expert, Prof. Olalekan Adebimpe of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, has implored pregnant women to register early in government approved health facilities to stave off avoidable deaths.
Adebimpe, a consultant to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), stated this during a one-day dissemination meeting on 2020 Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) report on Friday in Akure.
He noted that Ondo State had adequate health facilities which were well resourced.
According to him, there are three times that a pregnant woman can die, but all foreseen causes can be averted by skilled health workers, if she starts attending the facilities early.
The consultant, who warned pregnant against patronising quacks, applauded the state Ministry of Health for mapping out traditional birth attendants in order to regulate their activities.
“They should do the same to mission houses too because if we talk about skilled health workers that will do preventions, they are in public health facilities and registered private health facilities.
“The bottom line is that all pregnant women should register early. They will be adequately managed and all of these deaths will be prevented. And their men should support them,” he said.
Adebimpe also said that the 2020 reports showed that the state was doing well in reducing maternal and child mortality.
In her remarks, Mrs Folukemi Aladenola, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, commended Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for providing a conducive environment for the sector.
Aladenola expressed joy that the state was doing well.
“The good news is that we are improving. We can be assured that with the state government, we will do better. We also appreciate our partners in the health sector for their support.
“We will reduce or eliminate maternal and child mortality in the state. The government is saying no death for pregnant women. The government is providing funds for the sector and I can sure you that this will continue,” she stated.
The permanent secretary explained that the state government through the ministry met with traditional birth attendants in order to collaborate with them and monitor their activities.
She also stated that a series of trainings had been approved for nurses and midwives, while the overall target was to ensure good healthcare delivery in the state.
Also, Dr Adesina Akintan, the Chairman of MPDSR in the state, thanked the government for enabling the committee to carry out its work successfully.
Akintan noted that the MPDSR committee used a bottom-top approach to come up with the report and recommendations.
NAN