Communicating for Change (CFC) and Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) recently hosted a roundtable discussion on Safe Motherhood in Nigeria, also considering the role of HIV and Aids in infant and maternal health.

Globally, Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, with 1,100 deaths per 100, 000 live births and a lifetime risk of maternal death of 1 in 18; consequently approximately 1 in every 9  maternal deaths worldwide occur in Nigeria alone.  For women infected with HIV and Aids, the benefits of using Anti Retroviral Therapy
(ART), or in Preventing Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) are lost if a mother goes on to die in childbirth.  

To help address these issues, JAAIDS and CFC invited the media, various civil society organizations as well as medical practitioners to discuss the issue of Safe Motherhood in Nigeria and the role of HIV and Aids. The panel at the roundtable comprised of Dr Akerele, Unicef consultant, Dr Adeyanju, physician at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Abosede Oladayo of Hope Worldwide Nigeria and Olayide Akanni, executive director, JAAIDS. The roundtable was chaired by Eugenia Essell, general manager, CFC.

During the discussion, many factors that jeopardize women’s safety were considered, including unsafe abortions and a lack of education and awareness, with many women using unskilled traditional birth attendants instead of professionally trained midwives and doctors.
When available, the cost of medical care and the accessibility of healthcare centres are often barriers to women using their services, especially for those living in remote rural areas. Additionally, poverty and a lack of good nutrition can also cause infant and
maternal mortality and low weight births. Also, many women do not have the authority to demand healthcare for themselves, but are instead reliant on their families’ approval, often waiting for a complication to occur before seeking medical attention. All of the
attendees present at the roundtable agreed on the urgent need to address maternal mortality, where thousands of women die for exercising their natural right to procreation.

Whilst there has been some improvement in maternal healthcare and HIV/Aids, for example, the introduction of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmes and the implementation of a national Integrated Maternal Newborn and Child Health (IMNCH) strategy, more still needs to be done. The 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is gradually looming and Nigeria still has a
long way to go to before meeting goals 5 and 6, to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health.  

Dr. Tajudeen Akerele Unicef HIV/Aids consultant, said: ‘Nigeria ranks 9th highest in the world in terms of maternal mortality, however many deaths can be averted with knowledge and low cost precautions. If women receive appropriate care during and after their pregnancy, both at home and at the community level, the chances of
maternal and infant mortality are significantly reduced.
Additionally, to reduce maternal and child mortality, it is important that healthcare providers deliver quality services in a child and mother friendly way, that  mothers are provided with a regular supply of quality drugs, and that infants receive proper immunization.’ 

Dr. Adeyanju of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, said: ‘It is important that men take an interest in their partners and offer support as male involvement can make a positive difference to maternal health; all too often, women seek medical support only in
the event of an emergency and as a last resort, which causes delays to receiving treatment. All women expecting to be pregnant should consult their doctor to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions, before they become detrimental to the health of the
mother and her baby. Finally, I am calling for improved capacity in healthcare centres and labs, with the establishment of effective patient tracking systems, so infections and complications can be effectively monitored and  treated.’ 

Abosede Oladayo, Aids Ambassador, Hope Worldwide Nigeria, said: ‘I am an HIV positive woman, who is married and has given birth to my children without passing on HIV; I use my experiences to encourage other women who have faced discrimination and stigma as a result of their HIV and Aids status. Many women are afraid to disclose their
condition to their husbands and families which means they do not receive appropriate medication, either for themselves or their children, which results in unnecessary and avoidable deaths. I am calling for increased awareness and information of HIV and AIDS, in order to promote discussion and visibility, limit maternal mortality and reduce the stigma associated with HIV and Aids.’