The goal of the partnership, according to SOGON’s National President, Dr Habib Sadauki, is to enhance maternal health outcomes by providing capacity-building support, advocacy, and improved care, especially at the primary healthcare level.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on leadership and management development training for SOGON national and subnational leadership on Wednesday in Abuja, Dr Sadauki said, ‘’The project aims to serve as the leading voice for women’s health in Nigeria by scaling up evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage with tranexamic acid and preeclampsia/eclampsia with magnesium sulphate.’’
He added that maternal and neonatal health needs utmost urgency because Nigeria has become a global leader in maternal mortality rates.
The World Health Organization reports that Nigeria’s mortality rate is the highest in the world, with 814 deaths per 100,000 live births, far exceeding the African regional average of 525 deaths per 1000 live births.
‘’The goal is to conduct thorough research in primary and secondary health facilities across Nigeria and in comparison, with five other countries to pinpoint the gaps and opportunities for Nigeria to adopt and implement the clinical interventions that can effectively reduce maternal mortality rates,” he added.
According to him, the partnership would enable SOGON to address the competing priorities needed to improve women’s health and well-being in Nigeria, as the proposed practice changes are critical to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
“As a result, SOGON aims to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality and sustain national efforts through the uptake of interventions championed effectively by leaders at the forefront of healthcare delivery. Nigeria is one of six national member societies, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh), Kenya, and Pakistan,” he said.
He added that it is crucial to continue building the capacity of SOGON leadership at the national and participating state levels in Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, and Lagos as this will help address rising maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.
In her presentation, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre, Dr Judith-Ann Walker, noted that the partnership with SOGON and FIGO is to address the worrisome surge in maternal mortality in Nigeria.
She cited data from primary healthcare centre, as well as secondary and tertiary hospitals, to emphasise the urgency of the situation.
She emphasised that the alarming rate of maternal deaths cannot be ignored. Therefore, a partnership has been established to collaborate and enhance the ability to combat it.
The initiative aims to equip SOGON with the necessary resources to effectively implement the project and advocate to stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels.
