By Kemi Olatunde
Wife of the Ondo State Governor and Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) Ambassador, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has hailed the successful completion of the Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PPHI) Project, describing it as a landmark achievement in the state’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal healthcare outcomes.
Speaking at the AMPLI-PPHI Ondo end-of-project dissemination event which was organizsed by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Jphiego Nigeria in Akure on Wednesday, Her Excellency , Mrs. Aiyedatiwa who was represented by a full-time Board member, Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board (HMB), Nurse Patience Arinola Adamolekun, said the conclusion of the project marked not merely the end of a development intervention, but the celebration of lives saved, stronger healthcare systems, and empowered communities across the state.
According to her, postpartum haemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal deaths globally and continues to pose a significant threat to maternal health in Nigeria.
She said: “No woman should lose her life while giving birth.
The success of the project demonstrates what can be achieved when governments, healthcare workers, communities and international partners collaborate towards a common objective”.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa highlighted several milestones achieved through the project, including the statewide scale-up of postpartum haemorrhage prevention and management interventions across all 18 local government areas of the state.
She also noted that the state government had successfully institutionalised the procurement of life-saving PPH commodities through the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa commended the administration of the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for prioritising maternal and newborn health, while also acknowledging the contributions of the State Ministry of Health, healthcare workers, local government authorities, professional associations and community structures.
She extended special appreciation to Jhpiego and development partners including Unitaid, European Union, Global Gateway and United Nations Population Fund for providing technical expertise, financial support and strategic guidance throughout the implementation of the project.
In his opening remark, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo noted that most maternal deaths are caused by four different delays, including delay in seeking healthcare, delay in reaching healthcare, delay in receiving healthcare as well as community accountability and responsibility.
He reiterated Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to improving maternal health in the state, through the “OUR EASE” agenda.