By Fawaz Adebisi
In a harrowing revelation, the Maternal and Research Health Collective (MRHC) has brought to light a dire maternity mortality crisis in Nigeria.
According to their recent report, an average of 255 women lose their lives daily due to maternal complications in the country.
This staggering number surpasses India’s maternal mortality rate, even though India’s population is five times larger than Nigeria’s.
The situation demands immediate attention, and Professor Bosede Afolabi, Founder and Chairperson of MRHC, is leading the charge.
Speaking at an awareness and fundraising event held at Muri Okunola Park, Lagos, Professor Afolabi passionately urged pregnant women who lack access to healthcare services to register with MRHC.
The event aimed to raise awareness and gather support for 5,000 vulnerable women in Nigeria.
Professor Afolabi emphasized the urgency of their campaign, stating, “This event marks the culmination of a month-long program dedicated to raising awareness and funds for maternal mortality prevention in Nigeria.
Our country currently holds the unfortunate record of having the highest number of women dying from pregnancy-related causes worldwide.
In 2020 alone, 82,000 pregnant Nigerian women lost their lives during childbirth—a staggering figure that surpasses India’s maternal mortality numbers threefold.”
Amidst this crisis, MRHC’s efforts offer hope—a beacon for saving countless Nigerian women from preventable deaths.
