Nigeria Health Watch has revealed that it will convene a health policy dialogue on maternal health, as part of its recognition of the vital importance of maternal health as a cornerstone of public health and a reflection of a nation’s future well-being.
This dialogue, titled “Scaling Maternal Health Innovations in Nigeria: Learnings, Challenges and Opportunities,” is scheduled for July 18, 2024, in Abuja.
Director of programmes at Nigeria Health Watch, Dr. Kemisola Agbaoye emphasised the significance of the dialogue in a conversation with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja. She underscored that the event aims to address critical issues, share innovations and explore opportunities for improving maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.
According to a 2023 World Health Organisation report, maternal mortality remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, which ranks second globally in the number of maternal deaths. This alarming statistic highlights the gap between Nigeria’s current health outcomes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Systemic barriers, such as poor access to healthcare services, financial constraints and inadequate transportation infrastructure, contribute to delays in seeking maternal healthcare, exacerbating the crisis.
Innovative approaches in digital health, telehealth and evidence-based interventions, such as E-MOTIVE, a postpartum hemorrhage management bundle, offer promising solutions to these challenges. Agbaoye noted that the upcoming policy dialogue would provide a platform for discussing these innovations and exploring ways to implement and scale them within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“This dialogue is a crucial step towards addressing the systemic challenges in maternal health care, encouraging innovative solutions, fostering collaboration and driving policy reforms that will save lives,” she said.
The event aims to foster discussions among government officials, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners. It will also serve as an avenue to raise awareness about successful maternal healthcare innovations and generate actionable recommendations for their nationwide implementation.
Participants at the dialogue are expected to identify challenges and opportunities in scaling up maternal healthcare innovations and develop effective strategies to improve maternal health indicators within Nigeria. The goal is to create a collaborative environment where diverse stakeholders can work together to bridge gaps in maternal healthcare and ultimately save lives.
“This event aims to bring together key stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions, share experiences, and identify strategies to improve maternal health outcomes in Nigeria,” Agbaoye explained. She called on Nigerians to be part of this crucial conversation and contribute to shaping the future of maternal health in Nigeria by registering for the conference via its official website (https://nhwat.ch/MaternalHealthPolicyDialogue).
This policy dialogue represents a significant opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate on transforming maternal health care in Nigeria, aligning efforts with global health standards and ensuring that every mother has access to the care she needs.
