The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has set up a sub-committee tasked with gathering precise data concerning maternal, perinatal, and child fatalities within local communities.
The primary goal is to aid the government in identifying the likely causes—be they medical or non-medical—modifiable factors, and sustainable solutions aimed at reducing the occurrences of maternal and child fatalities.
Ibrahim Mustafa, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, disclosed this in a statement issued by Adetayo Akitoye-Asagba, the Assistant Director of the board’s Public Affairs Department, in Lagos on Saturday.
Mustafa highlighted that the state’s sub-committee for Community-based Maternal Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response partnered with the United Nations Population Fund and Project Aisha.
The C-MPCDSR program model ensures the identification, documentation, and audit of maternal, perinatal, and child fatalities regardless of the location of death, encompassing incidents occurring at home or in transit to a healthcare facility.
Nigeria holds the unfortunate record for the highest number of maternal deaths worldwide, as per the World Health Organization.
Mustafa emphasized the persistently high maternal and child mortality rates in the country, underscoring the imperative for all stakeholders to comprehend their roles and conduct regular monitoring and fact-finding missions.
He noted that these collective contributions would enable informed governmental decision-making processes.
The pilot program is slated to commence in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area.
Additionally, Olukemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, stressed the vital inclusion of community members, particularly at grassroots levels, in lowering the maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
Ogunyemi emphasized the government’s keen interest in the welfare of all citizens, especially pregnant women and children.
She charged the sub-committee members to efficiently fulfill their responsibilities and justify the state’s trust in their assignment.
The inaugurated sub-committee comprises senior government officials, religious leaders, youth leaders, market women, community leaders, development partners, healthcare associations, and others.
