A Non-Governmental Organisation, HACEY has collaborated with Access Corporation to initiate Project Agbebi, a safe motherhood program designed to reduce pregnancy-related complications and deaths.
HACEY noted that with about a month of implementation in Osun, Oyo, and Ogun states, the project aims to provide safe and essential birthing kits, educate and equip pregnant women, and create communal support systems for pregnant women, all in a bid to improve maternal health outcomes in these states.
The team donated birthing kits to pregnant women across Primary Health Facilities in the three states as part of this project.
It explained providing the kits is a significant step forward that will improve safe deliveries and potentially reduce complications during childbirth, which, in turn, will positively affect maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Executive Director of HACEY, Rhoda Robinson, emphasised the importance of addressing the underlying factors contributing to poor maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Robinson stated the need for access to quality healthcare services and health education and awareness for pregnant women and communities.
Head of Sustainability at Access Corporation, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need to promote skilled birth attendance during childbirth, encouraging pregnant women to seek antenatal care, and strengthening the healthcare system itself.
According to the team, the goal is to improve the health-seeking behaviours of pregnant women and encourage timely utilisation of healthcare services while empowering women to make informed health and financial decisions.
It added the comprehensive approach requires the collaboration of stakeholders to make significant progress in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria.
“It is essential to take a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying factors contributing to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria.
“This requires collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, communities, and other stakeholders to implement evidence-based interventions that improve access to quality healthcare, health education, antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, health system strengthening, community engagement, and addressing social determinants of health.
“Only through a multi-faceted and sustained approach can we make significant progress toward reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries,” the team explained.