Reducing Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: Why Progress is Stalled and the Way Forward

Abstract

Reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria has been stalled because of the use of inappropriate, patchy and poorly implemented strategies. The way forward is to employ strategies that have been universally acclaimed to bring success in other countries, while tailoring these to fit our unique needs and circumstances. There is need to professionalize midwifery care, ensure accessibility and employ a National strategy at scale to address the well known preventable obstetric complications at the root of our national dilemma. Institutional care is imperative. The basic health centres should be used as the means of distributing care. There is need to upgrade existing health facilities. Political will must drive our impetus.