In a bold move to combat the alarming rates of maternal mortality, the Ogun State Government has introduced the Rural Maternal Health Emergency Transport Service, an initiative aimed at reducing deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth, particularly in underserved rural areas. The service was launched on Tuesday, with the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, leading the charge.
At the launch event in Odeda Local Government, Mrs. Abiodun emphasized the critical need for such an initiative, citing that as many as 830 women die daily from preventable pregnancy-related complications worldwide. She highlighted that nearly 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries like Nigeria, where access to timely healthcare is a major challenge, particularly in rural communities.
Maternal mortality is higher in women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. These are preventable deaths, and we must act swiftly to provide the necessary healthcare infrastructure, Mrs. Abiodun stated.
The initiative, which will utilize a hub-and-spoke model, is designed to provide swift emergency response and referral services, ensuring that pregnant women facing complications can access medical care in time to prevent life-threatening situations. To support this, the Ogun State Government has procured 100 tricycle ambulances that will be distributed across the state’s 20 local government areas.
Globally, maternal mortality has been a persistent issue, with roughly 303,000 women dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications in 2015 alone. While significant progress has been made, with maternal mortality rates dropping by 44% between 1990 and 2015, the numbers remain alarmingly high, especially in low-resource settings like rural Nigeria. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target a reduction in maternal mortality by 2030, but progress has been slow in areas with limited healthcare access.
Mrs. Abiodun praised the Ogun State Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle this issue through the employment of over 200 nurses and midwives and the distribution of tricycle ambulances. These interventions, combined with the new emergency transport service, aim to reduce maternal and infant deaths by improving access to timely and effective medical care.
The success of this initiative has been bolstered by partnerships with organizations like Emergency Response Africa (ERA). ERA's CEO, Mrs. Folake Owoduni, stressed the importance of swift and reliable emergency transportation in saving lives. The service will provide a dedicated ambulance tricycle and trained community first responders to assist pregnant women in need of urgent care.
Mrs. Owoduni explained, This project focuses on providing pregnant mothers and infants in rural areas with fast and reliable emergency transportation to healthcare facilities. It will help reduce the high number of deaths in mothers and children.
Pregnant women are encouraged to register at government-run antenatal clinics, where they will receive free vouchers allowing them access to the transport service when needed.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, echoed the importance of this new initiative, acknowledging the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria. The commissioner pointed out that the transport service would be available free of charge, 24 hours a day, for pregnant women in emergency situations, especially those in rural areas where delays in accessing care can be fatal.
By providing reliable and swift transportation for pregnant women in emergencies, we are ensuring that no woman has to face unnecessary delays in receiving the care she needs. This project is an ambitious and targeted response to the challenge of maternal mortality in Ogun State,Dr. Coker said.
The Rural Maternal Health Emergency Transport Service represents a significant step forward in Ogun State's efforts to reduce maternal mortality and ensure that no woman loses her life due to preventable pregnancy complications. The free, 24-hour service will provide much-needed support to women in rural areas, where access to healthcare has traditionally been limited.
As the initiative rolls out across the state, it offers a beacon of hope for mothers and families, promising a safer future for women and children in Ogun State.