The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) has commenced strategic measures aimed at reducing maternal mortality in the state through the engagement of additional midwives to strengthen healthcare delivery at the primary care level.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Chituru Adele, disclosed this during an orientation programme organised for newly engaged midwives, where he stressed the need to improve access to skilled birth attendants and quality maternal healthcare services.
Dr. Adele, who was represented at the event by the Director of Community Health Services of the Board, Dr. Joy Tonye Wihioka, noted that Nigeria currently records one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in Africa.
He expressed concern over the low number of births taking place in health facilities and those attended by skilled healthcare professionals, describing the situation as a major challenge requiring urgent intervention.
The RSPHCMB Executive Secretary explained that the decision to recruit more midwives was informed by the need to expand the availability of qualified healthcare workers and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across Rivers State.
He urged the newly engaged midwives to see their roles as a commitment to improving the wellbeing of residents by reducing delays in accessing maternal healthcare through timely, skilled and quality services.
Dr. Adele charged the midwives to uphold professionalism, empathy, dedication and commitment in the discharge of their responsibilities, while ensuring patient-centred care across primary healthcare facilities in the state.
Speaking on “Maternal Health and Mortality Trends,” the RMNCAH FP, Dr. Tamunobelema Jaja, educated participants on maternal health, the continuum of care, components of maternal healthcare, causes of maternal deaths and the importance of teamwork in achieving a maternal mortality-free Rivers State.
Also speaking, the State Focal Person for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), Dtn. Buduzhi Gift Oguzor, explained that the fund was established to support the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening primary healthcare services for citizens.
Oguzor highlighted the roles of midwives in achieving UHC, service delivery expectations, financial protection, facility management and maintenance, monitoring and evaluation challenges, as well as possible mitigation strategies.
Other officials who facilitated the orientation programme included the Director of Nursing Services of the Board, Dorcas Eli, and Dr. Pearl Abereton, who spoke on compliance and quality service delivery within the healthcare system.
