Nigeria Confronts Maternal Mortality with New Community Initiatives

In response to Nigeria’s worsening maternal mortality crisis, local healthcare initiatives are stepping up to save lives. In 2023 alone, more than 75,000 women died from pregnancy-related complications   a rate that equals one death every seven minutes. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria is now considered the most dangerous place in the world to give birth.

At a community health center in Lagos, expectant mothers are receiving essential antenatal care. Nurses monitor both mother and child, provide necessary medication, and share vital health education. The Maternal and Reproductive Healthcare Collective is leading this effort, focusing on women in vulnerable communities and addressing complications before they turn life-threatening.

Many of these tragedies are preventable but persist due to financial barriers, cultural beliefs, and a deep mistrust of the healthcare system. For women like Khadijat Bakare, six months pregnant with her fourth child, and Aishat Okunloye, four months pregnant and hoping to avoid complications from her previous birth, these interventions are proving life-saving. Frontline health workers are actively identifying and registering pregnant women in at-risk communities, ensuring they have a reliable first point of medical contact.

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