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At the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Summit 1.0 in Abuja, experts urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to provide free pregnancy care and ensure that contraceptives are accessible to every Nigerian woman to help reduce maternal mortality. The summit, organized by the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, coincided with the 2024 World Contraception Day and International Safe Abortion Day.
Professor Rosemary Ogu, National President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, stressed the importance of increasing funding for reproductive health, particularly in rural areas. She highlighted that better access to contraception would not only reduce maternal deaths but also empower women to pursue education and reach their potential. “Nigeria has a demographic bulge. If we are all healthy, Nigeria can become the greatest nation on earth,” she stated.
Lucky Palmer, Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, revealed that Nigeria contributes about 28% of global maternal mortality, the highest in the world. He emphasized that the lack of contraception and access to safe abortion are major contributors to this alarming rate. “Contraception enables women to space their pregnancies and recover fully, making the pregnancy experience much safer,” Palmer noted.
Dr. Ejike Orji, Chairman of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, acknowledged the country’s progress in reducing maternal mortality by 40% over the last eight years but expressed concern over the high mortality rates among girls under 15. He pointed out that family planning efforts in Nigeria have been largely donor-funded but praised the current government for releasing $4 million to support these efforts.
Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi, Board Chair of the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, highlighted the importance of ensuring access to contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce maternal mortality. “We hope that every child, woman, boy, and girl will fulfil their fundamental right to have children by choice, not by chance,” she added.
