Financial Predicament Cause of Maternal Mortality, Says Agency

The Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) has expressed worry that financial predicament is one of the major causes of maternal mortality in the country as many pregnant women do not go to hospitals due to lack of money to access health services.

Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr Rilwanu Mohammed represented by a director in the agency Bello Mustapha spoke on Tuesday during a launch and campaign programme on the need for pregnant women to be visiting health facilities for ante-natal and delivery tagged ' Albishirinku' organized by 'Break-through Action- Nigeria Project' with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)  rand launched by the first lady of the state, jHajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed.j

Mustapha said of the 6.8 million population of the state, about 340, 000 people are pregnant women revealing that only 90, 000 among them go to health facilities for ante-natal.

He called for intensive sensitization to women to be visiting hospitals during pregnancy and delivery as part of measures to mitigate mother and child mortality rates.

Also speaking, the project state coordinator of Break-through Action-Nigeria Project, Usman Inuwa, explained that the programme which is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be conducted in Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

According to him, the campaign focusses on 17 health areas including enlightenment on the safety of pregnant mothers, their children, nutrition, and advocacy for ante-natal and vaccination among others.

He added that the campaign would include house to house sensitization to women, husbands at public gatherings, Media gingles and drama on the need for women to be visiting health facilities from pregnancy to labour.

In her remarks, the first lady of Bauchi State Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed lauded the organization for the campaign asking traditional and religious leaders to join the campaign so that the message would be accepted by the people.

The first lady also promised that her office would support the program.