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Accessing healthcare: An arduous journey for pregnant women in northwest Nigeria
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
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
By: Michael Mike
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai has called on developed countries to mop up climatic challenges they caused in developing countries, insisting that there is urgent need for them to take responsibility of international injustices especially regarding climate change.
He stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a “Seminar on Taking New Opportunities for China – Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in the New Era.”
Yu said it was unfair for developed nations to transfer the burden of developments on developing countries especially climate change and other challenges caused as a result of industrialisation.
The government envoy said China became among the top economies by adopting people centered approach and lifting 800 million people out of poverty over the past 70 years.
He further explained that his country achieved it development goals because it was open to all countries for exchange of ideas and that has been one of the major strengths the country had displayed to the world.
Yu said his country had adopted people centered approach to become relevant among the committee of nations by advocating stability among nations and in the last 70 years, it had never been to war with anyone.
He described China and Nigeria as strong partners that have been working towards the development of one another.
On his part, the head of department, political science and international relations, University of Abuja, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, while giving a historical background on China’s development, recommended that Nigeria must be deliberate in its pursuit of development.
He noted that Nigeria has alot of good policies that require self decipline among leaders and followers to implement.
Another professor from the University of Abuja, Bibi Farouk decried that Nigeria has not grown to its commensurate capability because its leaders refused to develop the country’s infrastructure.
He said Nigeria and China need to look at technological development in its partnership agreement to help each other grow.
He advised that Nigeria should open its markets for China to enable it benefit from Chinese technology.
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
By: Mamman Mohammed
PDP National Chairman Ambassador Umaru Iliya Damagum today led members of
the National Working Committee and Board of Trustees of the party on a sympathy visit to Gov. Mai Mala Buni over the Mafa attack and flood in some parts of the state.
The chairman commended Gov. Buni for giving every citizen of the state a sense of belonging irrespective of political differences.
“I must appreciate you for giving everyone a sense of belonging and fulfillment, despite our political differences” he said.
Amb. Damagum said PDP shares the pain and trauma suffered by the people over the senseless killing of innocent people, and the hardships caused by the floods.
Similarly, former Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, paid a sympathy visit to the governor and prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the Mafa attack and the floods.
He prayed to Allah to grant the departed souls Aljannatul Firdaus, and to console their families.
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
News
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
By: Michael Mike
The list of pledges and actual receipts of donations and support to the Government of Borno State from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and non-governmental organisations are detailed below.
Kindly note that not all amounts listed were credited to the Maiduguri Relief Fund for the Borno State Government. Similarly, details of the redeemed pledges of donations and material support will be announced in due course:
Note: Updates are given at the close of every day at 7:00 pm.
States
- Bauchi State = N250m
- Kebbi State = N200m
- Adamawa State =N50m
- Yobe State = N100m
- Kano State =N100m
- Gombe State =N100m
- Taraba State =Nn100m
- Katsina State =N100m
Organisations and Individuals
- Alhaji Aliko Dangote =N2b (N1b to donated to NEMA)
- Alhaji Aminu Dantata =N1.5b
- HE Atiku Abubakar =N100m
- HE Peter Obi =N50m
- North East Dev Commission =N3b
- Nigerian Senate = N54.5m
- House of Representatives = N100m
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) =N25m
- Borno House of Assembly =N60m
- Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan =N50m
- Hon Zainab Gimba =N25m
- Ibrahim Abba Umar =N50m
- Sumaila Satumari = N20m
- Hon Mallam Gana Kareto =N10m
- Northern Senators Forum =N10m
- Senator Barau Jibril =N10m
- Hon Moh’d Abubakar Maifata =N50m
- Southern Borno =N200m
- Hon Zakariya Dikwa =N10m
- Al-Amanah Aid =N1m
- Hon Mohammed Imam =N50m
- HE Maina Ma’aji Lawan = N10m
- HE Ali Modu Sheriff = 100m
- Hon Dr Ali Bukar Dalori = N50m
- Sen MT Monguno = N50m
- Sen Kaka Shehu Lawan = N50m
- Hon Aliyu Betara = N100m
- Hon Abdulkadir Rahis = N25m
- Hon Ibrahim Abuna = N25m
- Hon Usman Zannah = N10m
- Hon Engr Bukar Talb = 10m
- Hon Yerima Lawan Kareto = N2m
- Abdussalam Kachallah = N100m
- Awari Usman Alkali = N20m
- Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) = N50m
- Dan Nene Construction Company = N30m
- First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu =N500m
- Dauda Kahutu (Rara Ra) =N10m
- 27 Borno LGAs =N1.350b
- Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)/Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) =N10m
Non-Cash Donations
- North East Dev Commission = 20,000 bags of 25kg rice, 20,000 cartons of macaroni and 10,000 gallons of vegetable oil.
- Sumal Food Group, Ibadan = 50,000 loaves of bread and 5,000 cartons of biscuits.
- Nasarawa State Government = 2 trucks of rice, 2 trucks of spaghetti and 2 trucks of sugar.
- General Buba Marwa (Rtd) = 10 trucks load of fertiliser worth N120m.
- Hon Aminu Jaji (HOR) = 600 bags of rice
- Nigerian Society of Engineers, Borno State Chapter = 10,000 wrappers
- Engineer Usman Monguno = 10,000 wrappers
- Alhaji Abdulkadir Ali (Matrix Energy) = Asirted food items worth N120m
- National Agency for Great Green Wall = 80 bags of 25kg rice, 30 cartons of 4.5l groundnut oil, 30 cartons of Macaroni, 30 cartons of spaghetti, 60 kerosene stoves, 73 big-size pots, 180 mats, 175 plastic chairs, 600 rubber buckets, 578 bowls, 78 mortar and pestle, 32 praying mats, 100-foot mats, 250 rubber and plastic trays, 256 bathroom slippers, 700 rubber cups, 353, stainless plates, 409 rubber plates, 291 ablation kettles, 192 aprons, 96 hand towels and 433 spoons.
- Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)/Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) = 400kg of used clothes.
UPDATE ON PLEDGES AND ACTUAL RECEIPTS OF DONATIONS FOR MAIDUGURI RELIEF FUND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2024
China Calls on Developed Countries to Mop Up Their Climate Troubles
E.K. Clark commends Dangote Refinery, says it will boost Nigeria’s economy
PDP, Sen. Lawan Condoles with Yobe Govt
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