Need to intensify emergency obstetric care services in Nigeria

Authors

  • Perpetus C. Ibekwe Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2011.e33

Keywords:

maternal mortality, reduction, emergency obstetric care, provision, developing countries.

Abstract

Each year more than half a million women around the world die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth; this number has not declined substantially in over two decades. Ninety-nine percent of these deaths occur in the developing world; Africa and Asia together accounting for 95% of the maternal deaths. The life time risk of maternal death in sub-Saharan Africa is one in 16, while the risk in developed countries is one in 2800. In Nigeria, since the launching of the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) in September 1990, overwhelming evidence suggests a trend towards an increasing rate of maternal mortality. Available data indicate that Nigeria now has the second highest rate of maternal mortality in the developing world. Officially, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) is estimated at 800 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. However, institutional figures on MMRs are staggering and frightening – 2101 per 100,000 and 3380 per 100,000 from two centres in Nigeria. Whereas Nigeria makes up 2% of the world’s population, it contributes about 10% of the global burden of maternal deaths. These deaths are unacceptably high even by African standard.
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Author Biography

Perpetus C. Ibekwe, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital

obstetrics/gynecology consultant

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Published

05-09-2011

How to Cite

Ibekwe, P. C. (2011). Need to intensify emergency obstetric care services in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2(2), e33. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2011.e33

Issue

Section

Letters to the Editors