Rotary International has earmarked $2 million, with approximately $1 million already committed, for projects aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria over the next three years.
Speaking at a community health engagement held at LEA Primary School, Kuchingoro, Abuja over the weekend, Rotary International president, Mr. Gordon McInally, revealed this commitment.
Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after giving birth, remains a critical issue affecting women’s health and well-being worldwide. It serves as an indicator of the accessibility and quality of healthcare services available to pregnant women.
McInally emphasised that the funding would be dedicated to raising awareness of child and maternal health, particularly focusing on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. He expressed his commitment to creating a better world for his grandchildren in Scotland, as well as for children in Nigeria and other regions where Rotary operates.
The project, operational in six states across Nigeria, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving family well-being. It encompasses initiatives to provide women with access to reproductive advice and contraception, encourages male involvement in decision-making processes, and emphasises the importance of safe deliveries.
McInally stressed the importance of promoting safe deliveries in clinical settings, especially considering that many women still give birth at home, where mortality rates are higher. He highlighted the availability of grants for various projects in Nigeria through the Rotary Foundation, covering areas such as education, healthcare, maternal and child care, water and sanitation, economic development and environmental initiatives.
Chairman of the National Polio Plus Committee for Nigeria, Mr. Joshua Hassan disclosed that Rotary had allocated $21 million to core partners in the global polio eradication initiative, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). These funds support vaccination procurement, logistics and surveillance activities.
National coordinator of the Rotary Reproductive Maternal and Child Health programme, Prof. Dolapo Owofadeju highlighted Rotary’s shift from focusing solely on polio eradication to addressing maternal and child mortality. He emphasised the need for capacity building among healthcare professionals and advocated for facility-based deliveries with medical attention to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth.
The Rotary-supported project aims to identify and address health issues among children, advocate for facility-based deliveries, and ensure that clinics are equipped to provide essential services. The initiative also emphasises respectful treatment of pregnant women and discourages traditional birth attendants from conducting deliveries.
The commitment from Rotary International to enhance maternal health programmes in Nigeria underscores its dedication to improving healthcare outcomes and promoting the well-being of women and children in the country.
