By Olorunfemi Boluwatife
In response to the alarming maternal mortality rates in Nigeria, reproductive health experts gathered at the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Summit 1.0 on Thursday to demand urgent action from the Federal Government and stakeholders.
The summit, organized by the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria to commemorate the 2024 World Contraception Day, focused on critical solutions to Nigeria’s pressing reproductive health challenges under the theme ‘A Choice for All: Freedom to Plan, Power to Choose’.
Experts emphasized that tackling the maternal health crisis requires increased funding for reproductive health services, expanded access to contraception, and comprehensive healthcare improvements.
Prof. Rosemary Ogu, National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, underscored the connection between a healthy population and Nigeria’s potential for global leadership.
“With improved reproductive health services, Nigeria can harness its demographic advantages,” she stated.
Ogu called for government action to increase funding for reproductive health initiatives, provide free pregnancy care, and ensure functional primary healthcare centers.
She highlighted the barriers rural communities face in accessing family planning services, contributing to Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rates.
“Collaborative efforts are essential among government, healthcare providers, and community leaders to address issues like inadequate funding and lack of infrastructure,” Ogu added, suggesting innovative solutions such as mobile health services and telemedicine to reach underserved populations.
Ejike Orji, Chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), also addressed funding gaps, stressing the need for family planning to become a legislative priority.
He noted that a former Minister of Health allegedly withheld family planning funds, exacerbating Nigeria’s maternal health crisis despite a reported 40% reduction in maternal mortality over the past eight years.
“Addressing these bureaucratic hurdles will significantly alleviate current challenges,” Orji stated, acknowledging recent funding releases by the incumbent Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Lucky Palmer, Country Director of IPas Nigeria Health Foundation, called for legislative changes to address cultural and systemic barriers limiting access to contraception, particularly for vulnerable groups like adolescents and women with disabilities.
He advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s reproductive healthcare system, emphasizing the need for safe abortion options to protect women from unsafe practices.
“Contraceptives can prevent unnecessary maternal deaths; they are a fundamental right for everyone,” Palmer said.
He urged stakeholders to prioritize reproductive healthcare access for marginalized populations, noting that many maternal deaths could be avoided with better access to effective contraceptives.
Ufuoma Omo-Obi, Board Chair of Media Health Rights (MHR), reinforced the importance of collaboration across sectors to enhance contraceptive access.
“Empowering women to control their reproductive health is essential,” he said, highlighting the effectiveness of self-administered contraception in providing women with greater autonomy over their reproductive choices.
The summit concluded with a call for increased public awareness and community-based services, alongside training healthcare workers to support self-care interventions as a critical step toward improving contraceptive access and uptake.
As Nigeria grapples with one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, the urgent need for comprehensive reproductive health policies and practices remains clear.
