FCT inaugurates task force to reduce maternal deaths

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has unveiled a task force under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to tackle maternal and newborn deaths in the territory. Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, the FCT Mandate Secretary, announced the ongoing task force's commitment to addressing this pressing issue as long as women continue bearing children in the region.

The task force will oversee interventions targeting pregnant women, health facilities, communities, traditional leaders, and transport workers responsible for the emergency movement of pregnant women in need of urgent care.

Fasawe emphasized that the task force would utilize the MAMII document to devise work plans and hold government officials and the national coordinator responsible for implementing agreed-upon interventions across the territory. She commended the MAMII and its partners for their unwavering commitment to eradicating maternal mortality through sustained efforts in the FCT.

Background: MAMII is a flagship initiative by the Federal Government aimed at expediting action to curb preventable maternal and newborn deaths nationwide. The initiative focuses on enhancing access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare services, strengthening referral and emergency response systems, and implementing customized interventions aligned with local realities.

The activation of the FCT task force came after Fasawe's commitment to prioritizing the welfare of women and children. Dr. Dan Gadanma, the Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Development Board, explained that the FCT had initially been excluded from MAMII because its maternal mortality rate was comparatively lower than other states. However, a recent workshop engaged communities and individuals who had faced maternal health challenges to pinpoint practical interventions for implementation within the territory.

National Coordinator of MAMII, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, confirmed that the FCT had become the 34th state to join the initiative, which is currently active in states accounting for approximately 65% of Nigeria's maternal mortality burden. The Federal Government is supporting implementation efforts in these states. Adeyanju highlighted that MAMII had helped states identify the drivers of maternal and newborn deaths, develop response plans, and establish task forces to coordinate interventions and boost health outcomes.

According to him, these interventions have contributed to a 17% reduction in maternal mortality in less than two years, marking significant progress in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Adeyanju also pointed out delays in accessing care, socio-cultural barriers, transportation challenges, financial constraints, and insufficient awareness as key factors contributing to maternal mortality in the FCT. He urged pregnant women to complete antenatal care and deliver in appropriate healthcare facilities, noting that some women often attended clinics but delivered elsewhere.

Additionally, he encouraged residents to enroll in health insurance schemes, emphasizing that eligible beneficiaries could benefit from the initiative. Mrs. Augustina Kalu, a beneficiary of MAMII, shared her family's experience of receiving financial assistance to pay hospital bills after she developed unexpected complications during childbirth and required specialist treatment.

She credited MAMII for placing her on oxygen and providing other necessary medical care at the National Hospital before her recovery and discharge.