By Daniel Tyokua
The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) has commended the Federal Capital Territory for its efforts in the reduction of maternal mortality rate and perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR).
President of SOGON, Prof. Oluwarotimi Akinola stated this when he led a delegation of the executive members of the Society on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.
He revealed that the Society introduced the MPDSR in 6 health facilities of the FCT, namely Nyanya , Bwari and Kwali General Hospitals and the Primary Healthcare centers at Kwali, Gbagalape and Kogo.
Akinola explained that the implementation of the MPDSR project in these areas has reduced the maternal mortality ratio in the FCT to below the national average.
According to him, in Bwari Area Council, the maternal mortality ratio was reduced from 504/100,000 in 2014 to 468/100,000 in 2019, while maternal mortality was reduced from 317/100,000 in 2014 to 221/100,000 in 2019 in Nyanya, while the figures dropped in Kwali Area Council from 329/100,000 in 2014 to 268/100,000 in 2019.
He revealed that the national average in 2008, 2013 and 2018 were 545/100,000, 576/100,000 and 512/100,000 respectively.
The president also commended the FCTA for the establishment of a budget line for the MPDSR programmes in the FCT, adding that the FCT was the first state in the country to do so.
He said that the MPDSR project in the FCT has increased consciousness and accountability of health workers as the hospital and Primary Health Care staff have become more conscious on issues relating to maternal and perinatal deaths.
In his remarks, minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to the development of Primary healthcare centers in the FCT.
He told the Society that in furtherance of efforts to improve services at the primary Health care level, the FCTA recently employed 203 volunteer midwives and Community Health Extension workers.
