Maternal mortality is a serious public health concern in Nigeria.
The country has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world.
However, with a collaborative effort involving both medical professionals and political leaders, it is possible to break the cycle of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND OF MATERNAL DEATHS IN NIGERIA
Maternal mortality is a serious public health concern in Nigeria.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria is responsible for one-tenth of all maternal mortality worldwide, with over 58,000 women dying each year as a result of pregnancy or childbirth-related issues.
The bulk of these preventable deaths is caused by a lack of access to basic medical care and education in many rural areas in Nigeria.
The exorbitant costs of medical care also contribute to this dilemma, since many women cannot afford vital procedures and treatments.
With such grave circumstances and limited resources, it is evident that coordination between physicians and politicians is urgently needed to lower the risk of unnecessary deaths among pregnant women.
ROLE OF DOCTORS
Doctors are crucial in putting a stop to maternal deaths in Nigeria.
They provide medical services that can save lives during pregnancy, such as antenatal care and monitoring , diagnosing any complications that may arise during childbirth and providing the necessary medical interventions to prevent mothers from dying due to pregnancy complications.
Doctors play an important role in teaching patients about safe birth practices and pushing for legislation that enhances access to affordable healthcare services throughout Nigeria, in addition to providing direct medical care.
Doctors can guarantee that every woman has access to appropriate maternity healthcare and the support she requires from her family and community by collaborating with lawmakers and other stakeholders.
ROLE OF POLITICIANS
Politicians have the key to bringing about meaningful change in maternal healthcare in Nigeria.
They are in charge of formulating and implementing policies to guarantee that resources such as medical supplies, staff, and infrastructure are available to individuals in need.
This involve improving hospital financing, expanding access to free healthcare (particularly in rural areas), and ensuring pregnant women receive the appropriate medical treatment.
Politicians may also help raise awareness about maternal health concerns so that people realise the hazards of pregnancy and delivery and can take precautions to avoid them.
Nigeria may make headway toward eliminating unnecessary maternal mortality with adequate coordination among politicians, lawmakers, physicians, nurses, and midwives.
HOW COLLABORATION CAN HELP END MATERNAL DEATHS
Collaboration between physicians and politicians is essential for successfully lowering maternal mortality in Nigeria.
While physicians give medical skill and expertise, politicians (legislators) may utilise their power to create legislation that ensures all mothers, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to safe healthcare services.
Politicians can also embark on programs to promote the availability of contraception and family planning guidance to lower the risk of maternal mortality.
Collaboration between these two groups of professionals has the potential to not only enhance access to excellent health care but also to promote knowledge about how women may stay safe throughout pregnancy and delivery, resulting in fewer maternal fatalities in Nigeria.
BARRIERS TO COLLABORATION
A lack of political will, insufficient funding, the presence of gender inequality, the difficulty of navigating issues of cultural sensitivity and beliefs about health care, and ineffective communication channels are all barriers to collaboration between doctors and politicians in Nigeria to end maternal deaths.
All of these are possible grounds for conflict that inhibit effective collaboration among stakeholders who may be working with limited resources or attempting to execute large-scale policy changes.
Breaking down these barriers will need a strong commitment on all sides to develop a collaborative solution that benefits all parties involved.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Doctors and politicians must work together to reverse the cycle of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Maternal mortality rates may be significantly reduced with effective legislation, improved healthcare infrastructure, and increased access to important medical services.
It is also critical that both sides remain dedicated to cooperating and focusing on new solutions.
To achieve development, continuous communication between doctors and politicians must take place regularly to establish policies that are precisely customised to the circumstances.
Finally, with a unified front, it is possible to achieve significant progress toward the elimination of unnecessary maternal deaths in Nigeria.
This article was written by Ikechukwu Dominic Okoh