By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti
As part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s high maternal and child mortality rates, Rotary International, through the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (Rotary RMCH), has trained selected journalists to enhance public awareness of maternal and neonatal health.
Speaking during the training, the National Coordinator/Country Director of Rotary RMCH Nigeria, Emmanuel Adedolapo Lufadeju, said the initiative, tagged “Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria” (THFN) Programs of Scale, is aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal deaths by 25 per cent.
“The objective is to provide mothers and newborns with access to life-saving healthcare while also strengthening communities to take ownership of their health systems,” he explained.
Lufadeju described Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate, estimated at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, as one of the highest in the world.
“This translates to over 700 women dying daily from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications,” he said, urging journalists to use their platforms to raise awareness and influence policy.
The training highlighted Rotary’s interventions, which include prenatal care, family planning, respectful maternity care training, community dialogues, medical outreaches, emergency obstetrics and neonatal care training, provision of medical equipment, and family planning services.
So far, more than 42,000 community dialogues, 8,400 joint medical outreaches, and 43,996 home visits have been conducted, while over 1,200 Maternal Perinatal Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) Committee members have been trained.
Participants were reminded of their vital role as storytellers in shaping public discourse.
They were encouraged to report on issues such as access to skilled care, gaps in healthcare infrastructure, community-based health solutions, and policy advocacy.
“This is a call to action for journalists to investigate root causes, amplify the voices of affected families, and hold policymakers accountable,” Lufadeju stressed.
He further noted that with collective efforts from health workers, communities, and the media, Nigeria can significantly reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and give mothers and newborns a better chance of survival.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the state government has taken strategic steps to reduce maternal and child mortality.
These include massive investments in children’s vaccination, renovation of health facilities, provision of family planning commodities, and advocacy for women to embrace family planning.
“The government believes that no life should be lost by any pregnant woman while trying to give birth to another life,” she emphasised.
She urged journalists to use their platforms to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change to safeguard the health and well-being of mothers and children nationwide.
Also speaking, the State Family Planning Coordinator, Dr Busayo Ige, dispelled myths that family planning causes fibroids, excessive bleeding, or bloating, describing such claims as misconceptions borne out of ignorance.
She stressed the importance of proper counselling at government health facilities and explained that family planning methods are tailored to individual health needs.
“Some still believe delivery at home is safe, but complications can arise without warning.
At health facilities, skilled professionals ensure safe delivery and timely referrals if needed,” Dr Ige said, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to safer motherhood and improved child survival.
Responding on behalf of participants, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Kayode Babatuyi, assured the organisers that journalists in the state remain committed to giving adequate publicity to the campaign against maternal and child mortality.
He also encouraged Rotary International to engage more journalists so that there can be wider publicity.