News

Accessing healthcare: An arduous journey for pregnant women in northwest Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Accessing healthcare: An arduous journey for pregnant women in northwest Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

In the bustling emergency ward of Jahun General Hospital’s maternity department, the rhythm of activity beats with urgency and determination, like a pulse in the air. In this hospital, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) collaborates with the Jigawa state Ministry of Health to provide comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care and fistula care. Since commencing services in 2008, MSF teams have assisted 90,000 deliveries.
Nigeria is the third country in the world, after South Sudan and Chad, where a woman is most likely to die giving birth, according to the World Health Organisation. With an average of more than 1,000 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births each year, Nigeria is far from the global target for 2030 of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, as set under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Maternal mortality rates far exceed the country average in northern Nigeria, where more than half of the country’s estimated 200 million people live. In Jigawa state, the most significant factor is the limited access pregnant women have to antenatal care and delivery care for complications in childbirth, which frequently occur.
Unity Enuebuke, MSF Nursing Activity Manager, has been working in Jahun General Hospital for more than 10 years. “We see a lot of women with serious complications, with the most common ones being anaemia, haemorrhage and eclampsia,” she explains. The high number of patients means the maternity wards are often fully occupied, if not over capacity. Unity says, “We regularly have up to two women sharing a bed, and depending on the type of complications we see, things can escalate very quickly.”
Ramatu
Ramatu, a mother of two, suffered life-threatening eclampsia—seizures due to high blood pressure—when she delivered her first baby in Jahun hospital. This is her second time here, overcoming the considerable distance from home. “I live five hours away from Jahun General Hospital. There is no hospital where I live, and the closest one does not open at night,” she explains. In Jigawa state, many of the estimated 749 primary healthcare centres do not have the drugs, healthcare workers and medical equipment to serve the thousands of women of childbearing age, despite efforts from public health authorities, the current healthcare infrastructure does not come close to meeting the needs of the population.
This dire situation leaves pregnant women who want to attend a healthcare facility with limited choices such as giving birth at home, and if complications arise, embarking on a treacherous journey to try to reach one that is functioning.
It is also not enough that healthcare facilities are available, they must also be affordable. The economic reality in this region, worsened by soaring inflation rates, makes it difficult for people to afford hospital fees, drugs or even transportation to health facilities.
The result is that women become hesitant to go to the hospital, preferring to give birth at home with the help of more affordable traditional birth attendants, hence increasing the risk of experiencing complications.
Khadijah
Women have given birth at home for centuries, but mother’s and baby’s survival can hinge on preparing and planning for managing complications, which may also occur without warning. In Jigawa state, health professionals and facility-based delivery rates remain low with up to around 80% of deliveries occurring at home.
Nurse Unity says, “Most times, family members don’t bring the mother to the hospital until they see that the baby is not coming out and the mother herself is having seizures.”
Khadijah, a 58-year-old traditional birth attendant in Aujara community, Jigawa state, understands the value of hospital care if she can’t manage a complication, but has experienced women’s hesitation firsthand. “Some women take my advice when I say they should go to the hospital, while some refuse to go to the hospital because they say that they are used to giving birth at home.”
In many communities in Jigawa state, pregnant women often require permission from their husband or mothers-in-law to visit hospital. This practice is compounded by a trend of early marriage, at an age when women are not fully informed about pregnancy and are not physically ready to carry a child.
Khadijah explains that for some, “it is their husbands that prevent them from going to the hospital. Some men don’t see the relevance of antenatal care, while others don’t want another man to treat their wives.”
1.

What needs to be done?
To tackle maternal mortality, a multitude of factors must be addressed. State authorities and international organisations must scale up their activities and increase funding to healthcare in the region, ensuring that budget allocations for primary healthcare centres are properly utilised and thorough planning and strict implementation processes are in place. In 2023, MSF teams assisted 15,754 deliveries, performed 1,911 caesarean sections and completed 43,785 antenatal consultations. Yet, it is still a drop in the ocean when looking at the needs of women in Jigawa state.
Primary healthcare facilities, which are often the first point where pregnant women seek healthcare, need to be equipped with trained personnel, equipment and resources to manage childbirth-related complications. “Eighty two percent of the cases we receive at Jahun General Hospital are complicated cases that could have been prevented at the primary healthcare level.” says Abdulwahab Mohamed, MSF medical coordinator. “Women, especially those of childbearing age, also have to be informed about their health and wellbeing through health empowerment programmes led by state authorities or other health stakeholders”.
Pregnant women must be encouraged to go for antenatal care where they can be informed about their pregnancy journey and what to expect. Efforts must be made to mitigate cultural practices that hinder women from seeking care in medical facilities. Women should be allowed agency and given freedom to make decisions for their health.
MSF supports the Jigawa state Ministry of Health in providing comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care. Our support started with vesicovaginal fistula repair in 2008, however, the project evolved into a 161-bed facility to care for pregnant women and newborns experiencing complications. MSF teams also provide maternal and neonatal healthcare in the states of Kano, Benue, Cross River, Zamfara and will open a large maternity hospital in Maiduguri in June 2024.

Accessing healthcare: An arduous journey for pregnant women in northwest Nigeria

News

Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

Published

11 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

By Ndahi Marama

Borno South Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume has posit that the re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.

Reverend Mohzo, a cousin brother to Ndume who hails from Ngoshe- Sama, a remote village in Gwoza local government area of Borno state, became the first non -indigenous and committed Man of God to clinch such a position for the first and second tenure, which is usually occupied by people of Plateau indigenes.

Recall that COCIN was established since 1904 in Wase community, Jos, the Plateau state capital.

Senator Ndume, having come from both muslim and Christian family, described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.

In a press statement signed by Senator Ndume on Sunday, a copy which was made available to our Correspondent in Maiduguri, congratulated members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from.

“The re-election of Reverend Dr. Amos Musa Mohzo as National President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) will serve as an avenue to unite members of the Christian community and other faithfuls in Nigeria.

“It will interest you to know that Rev. Mohzo is my Cousin brother who hails from Gwoza local government area of Borno state.

“Therefore, myself having come from both muslim and Christian family, I described the victory not only to the good people of Gwoza and Borno state, but the entire country.

“This is because, the National President is somebody I know with integrity, honesty, and an unquestionable character.

He is a man of deep humility, unshakable faith, and steadfast dedication to the service of God and humanity, which i believe, was the reason he was given the second chance to lead the noble Church.

“Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all members of COCIN in Nigeria and those in diaspora, for giving Reverend Mohzo a second chance irrespective of where he hails from”. Senator Ndume said.

The Lawmaker prayed for God’s wisdom and guidance for the newly re-elected President.

Rev Dr Amos Musa Mohzo, born on 13th November, 1964 is from a humble background before his ascension to this exalted position.

Rev. Mohzo re-election as President is an avenue to unite COCIN, other faithfuls….. Ndume

Health

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

Published

12 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

By: Yahaya Wakili

Pending the recommendations of the research being conducted by Bio-RTC in addressing the problem of Chronic Kidney failure in the state. The Yobe state government will establish additional succor to kidney patients with a Renal Dialysis Center in Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area.

Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, disclosed this in his 2026 budget proposal speech of #515.583 billion submitted to the Yobe State House of Assembly in Damaturu.

Governor Buni said the government will also construct a new general hospital in Potiskum to address the problem of overcrowding of patients at the specialist hospital.

According to him, the government will also intend to complete the rehabilitation and upgrade of the 36 remaining primary health care centers across the state in fulfillment of our campaign promise to provide one functional primary healthcare center in each of the 178 political wards.

He further said in the fiscal year, the government will embark on the provision of at least one model primary school in each of the 178 electoral wards in the state to improve basic education in the state.

He maintained that the modern markets in Geidam, Buni Yadi, Ngalda, Yunusari, and Machina will be completed and commissioned, adding that these markets will not only improve the commercial activities in the state but will further provide job opportunities to our teeming youths and increase the income of our people.

Governor Buni revealed that funds would be made available for the provision of power substations in 6 major towns of the state. In addition to the provision of solar-powered streetlights, 250 KVA, 500 KVA, and 800 KVA diesel soundproof generator sets would be distributed to government agencies across the state.

Yobe to establish dialysis center in Gashua

News

Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations

Published

12 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations

By: Michael Mike

Angola and Nigeria have expressed readiness to strengthen their bilateral relations as well as be at the forefront of regional multilateral cooperation.

This was disclosed at the weekend at the Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Abuja.

The event with themed: “Pieces of Angola’s History Told by the Protagonists,” brought together diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and veterans to celebrate half a century of independence and friendship between Angola and Nigeria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Angola.

Tuggar, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director/Head Southern African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Nonyelum Afoekelu,, said the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Angola had witnessed tremendous achievements.

He added that: “There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission.

“I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to deepening the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria-Angola for the mutual benefit of both countries.”

In his remarks, Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, José Bamaquina Zau, said his country is looking particularly in the area of trade, security, and cultural exchange.

The envoy said both nations are working on 29 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including visa exemptions and business partnerships to boost commerce between Luanda and Lagos.

“We are committed to ensuring that investors from both countries can move freely and build lasting prosperity,” he added.

Zau praised the long-standing brotherhood and mutual respect between Angola and Nigeria, describing the relationship as one founded on solidarity, shared struggles, and a deep sense of African unity.

He specifically commended and awarded the Nigerian generals, now retired, who actively participated in the United Nations Observation Missions for the peace process and monitoring of the unification of the Angolan Armed Forces.

They include Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj. Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig. Gen. Buba Saleh.

He said: “The awards are symbolic recognition and gratitude for their selfless contributions to the process of political emancipation and the achievement of lasting peace in Angola.

“The conferment of the awards today is an expression of profound gratitude from Angolan people to Nigerians, for the sacrifice made in voluntarily supporting the cause of freedom and independence in Angola.

“After our independence, on November 11, 1975, the Republic of Angola plunged into an unprecedented civil and proxy war that lasted for almost 27 years.

“The result was dramatic; thousands of citizens killed and maimed; the country was completely surrounded by 15 million landmines and around 5 million internally displaced citizens overcrowding the coastal cities.

“More than 100 thousand children separated from their families: around 70 per cent of the population deprived of access to health care.”

He noted that: “Nigeria has always stood by Angola in times of conflict, in peacebuilding, and in our continued development journey. Our friendship is historic and unshakable.”

He also acknowledged his predecessor, Ambassador Eustaquio Januario Quibato, for laying the groundwork for closer diplomatic and cultural ties between both nations, while reaffirming Angola’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria in trade, investment, security, and regional integration.

Angola, Nigeria Vote for Stronger Bilateral Relations