Nigeria’s Health Crisis: A Call to Action for Improved Maternal and Child Healthcare

In a stark reminder of the country’s pressing health challenges, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, has highlighted the alarming rates of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. Speaking at a two-day engagement meeting with religious leaders from northern Nigeria, Aina emphasized the need for immediate action to address the crisis.

According to Aina, Nigeria loses approximately 2,300 under-five children and 145 women of childbearing age every day, with the majority of these deaths occurring in northern Nigeria. The country is also grappling with the transmission of circulating variant poliovirus type 2, with 70 cases reported across 14 northern states.

Aina stressed that this situation must change, urging religious leaders to make a renewed commitment to the health of their communities. He emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, breaking down barriers to care, and building trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

The World Health Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, echoed Aina’s sentiments, highlighting the critical role of partnership in achieving universal health coverage. He noted that the primary healthcare approach, which is the bedrock of Nigeria’s Health Policy, is essential for ensuring the highest possible level of health and well-being for all communities.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, also emphasized the importance of partnership, stressing that health and security are essential to Nigeria’s development. He commended the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development for its work in promoting sustainable development and social cohesion, and highlighted the foundation’s successful partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF and the Bill Gates Foundation.

As Nigeria’s health crisis continues to claim thousands of lives, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the root causes of maternal and child mortality. The engagement meeting between the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and religious leaders from northern Nigeria is a crucial step towards creating a system that ensures no mother or child is left behind.