Addressing Maternal Deaths In Nigeria: Health Commissioner Highlights Family Indecision

Discover why family indecision during childbirth is a major cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria, as highlighted by Borno State Health Commissioner Baba Mallam. Learn the statistics and key solutions.

Borno State Health Commissioner, Baba Mallam, has attributed the alarming rate of maternal deaths in Nigeria to family indecision during childbirth. Speaking in Maiduguri on Monday while receiving two tricycle ambulances donated by Doctors Without Borders, Mr. Mallam highlighted the critical role delayed decision-making plays in worsening maternal mortality rates.

“Many Nigerian women are dying during labor because their families fail to act promptly,” Mr. Mallam explained. “Pregnant women are often surrounded by relatives who encourage them to endure prolonged labor at home. Hours pass—one, two, three, even four—before they decide to seek hospital care. By then, the woman is exhausted, and transportation becomes another major challenge.”

Shocking Maternal Mortality Statistics in Nigeria

According to Mr. Mallam, recent statistics reveal that 120 Nigerian women die every hour from delivery-related complications, making Nigeria one of the worst-affected countries globally. The health commissioner emphasized that Nigeria is currently ranked just above Southern Sudan and Chad in maternal mortality rates.

“Nigeria contributes 28.9% of maternal deaths worldwide,” he said. “Despite having one of Africa’s strongest economies, our medical indices remain dire.”

Mr. Mallam also warned that Nigeria’s growing population—projected to exceed 400 million by 2050—could exacerbate this crisis. “At the current rate, a woman dies every two minutes during childbirth in Nigeria. This means that while we discuss these issues for 10 minutes, 20 women would have died.”

Impact on Newborn Survival

The commissioner stressed that maternal mortality directly impacts newborn survival. He noted that many newborn deaths result from preventable complications, such as blocked airways.

“Nigeria ranks third or fourth globally in newborn mortality,” Mr. Mallam pointed out. “Simple, solvable problems are costing the lives of our children.”

Solutions and Next Steps

To address this crisis, urgent action is needed to tackle delays in decision-making, improve emergency transportation for pregnant women, and provide better access to quality healthcare. Donations like the tricycle ambulances from Doctors Without Borders represent a step forward, but much more remains to be done.

Conclusion: The maternal death crisis in Nigeria requires immediate attention from families, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Families must prioritize timely medical intervention to save the lives of mothers and their newborns.