SFH Unveils WHO, NADFAC Approved ‘Mistol’ To Tackle Bleeding

Society for Family Health (SFH) has launched a Misoprotol tablet branded "Mistol", a life saving drug which will require less technological intervention to be taken by women who suffer from postpartum hemorrhageone, one of the leading causes of high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

Unlike other Misoprotol tablets that need to be refrigerated and stored using technology, Mistol will not require any of such technology to be stored or taken by women who suffer this ailment.

"Mistol, the Misoprotol tablet was introduced to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage, a medical situation that causes loss of blood after abortion or miscarriage", Bright Ekweremadu, managing director, SFH, said during launch in Lagos.

He argued that, with hemorrhage and unsafe abortion been identified by the World Health Organisations as major causes of high maternal mortality rate, accounting for 24 percent and 13 percent respectively, it was imperative to reduce the threatening surge which is totally unacceptable.

He said, 11 percent of maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortion and an estimated 142,000 women are treated annually for abortion related complications in Nigeria.

"Women need post abortion care because, 1 in 5 pregnancies are spontaneously miscarried, another 22 percent are induced abortions. And incomplete abortion can result from either spontaneous or induced pregnancy loss", Ekweremadu said.

"Am glad the Society for Family Health has taken this life saving process to the common man and Mistol will not require any delicate process of preservation using technology", says Dr. Adeyanju Alaruru Olusoji, chief consultant, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, during panel discussion at the launch.

Nigeria's current maternity mortality ratio is 560 out of 100,000 live birth, with over 40,000 women dying annually from pregnancy and pregnancy related complications.

Dr. Olusoji is of the opinion that all hands must be on deck to reduce the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.

"Everybody must be involved in this fight, the government,  health workers and the masses.  It is very imperative enlightenment programs are conducted periodically to inform the public about what needs to be done after abortion", he said. 

According to Professor Shima Gyoh, Mistol is pre-qualified by World Health Organisation and duly registered by NAFDAC and it is therefore recommended for use by government, sevice providers and all who need the product.

He said Mistol will be widely available throughout Nigeria, in different accredited channels, mainly the hospitals, clinics and pharmacy outlets.

"SFH has been in operation since 1985 providing services and products in Family Planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, child survival throughout Nigeria," Prof. Gyoh added.