MOST maternal deaths could be prevented especially if the recent spate of insecurity in the Northern part of Nigeria could be controlled, a group has said.
Also, in Jigawa State, the maternal mortality rate was estimated at tåçwice the national average of 59,000 pregnancy-related deaths, with up to 2,000 women dying out of every 100,000 live births.
The findings were disclosed by the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATH 2), a non-governmental organisation yesterday in Abuja at a one-day seminar on innovative community-based interventions for Safe Motherhood in commemoration of the 2012 Safe Motherhood Day (SMD).
Service Integration Adviser, PATHS 2, Dr. Samuel Usman cited the Emergency Transport Scheme (ETS) as a component of Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) to address the delay in physical access of emergency obstetric care.
Usman noted that the security challenge in some parts of the northern states "prevents most of the commercial drivers to drive at night" adding that "most deliveries occur at night."
Board member, White Ribbon Alliance, Dr. Phillipa Momah said that the theme for the SMD 'Investing in safe motherhood for national development; pregnancy is special, make it safe' was apt as reducing maternal mortality required sustained, long term commitment and partnerships.
He lamented the unwarranted harassment of the ETS drivers by policemen and described as a challenge the non-operation of public hospitals in the states for 24 hours.
The ETS uses commercial vehicle drivers who live within the selected communities in Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano states in North-West Nigeria where maternal mortality is at its highest.
Chief Nursing Officer, Family Health department, Ministry of Health, Comfort Akinsanmi urged women on patronising hospital for safer delivery.
The Guardian