Posted on: Thu 03-04-2025

 

It is no longer news that Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. What is shocking is how little progress has been made despite countless discussions, policies, and pledges.

Over 1,000 Nigerian women die per 100,000 live births—a staggering figure when the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to bring that number below 70 per 100,000 by 2030. At this rate, Nigeria must reduce maternal deaths by over 20% annually to meet the global target. But are we doing enough?

Beyond the Conferences: Where is the Action?

At the recent "Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala," stakeholders from government, healthcare, and the arts came together to discuss the urgency of reducing maternal mortality. The theme? “Her Strength in Every Story: Creative Expressions for Women’s Health.”

It was an event filled with powerful speeches, compelling art, and urgent calls to action—but will it lead to real change, or just another set of promises?

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, rightly pointed out that Nigeria cannot truly progress when women still struggle for healthcare, face gender-based violence, and are locked out of economic opportunities. She stressed the need for collaboration, insisting that government, civil society, artists, and the media must work together to drive meaningful change.

But here’s the real question: How many of these collaborations lead to actual policy shifts?

Maternal Health: An Economic and Social Issue, Not Just a Medical One

Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, an advocate for cancer and maternal health, highlighted a truth we often overlook: women are the backbone of families and entire communities. Yet, their health is often treated as an afterthought. Why is maternal healthcare still viewed as a secondary issue, when it directly affects the future of our nation?

Vivianne Ihekweazu, MD of Nigeria Health Watch, made a bold point—economic empowerment is key to reducing maternal deaths. When women have financial independence, they can:

•  Access better healthcare services.
•  Make informed decisions about their bodies.
•  Advocate for policies that prioritize maternal health.

The reality is, maternal deaths are not just about hospitals or medical facilities—they are about power, economics, and gender inequality.

Where Do We Go from Here?

Talk is cheap. Conferences, speeches, and galas won’t save Nigerian mothers. Action will.

We need:

•  Government-backed, fully funded maternal health programs, not just temporary interventions.
•  Stronger laws that hold policymakers accountable for maternal health failures.
•  Economic inclusion for women, so they can afford quality healthcare.
•  More investments in community-based healthcare centers, making maternal services accessible to rural and underserved women.

Nigeria cannot continue to lose thousands of women in childbirth while hoping for change. The time for bold, radical action is now. Otherwise, we’ll be back here next year, mourning more unnecessary deaths while repeating the same conversations.

So, the real question is: Who will step up to turn words into real solutions?

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