Nigeria Takes Over From India In Highest Cases Of Maternal Mortality – DEVCOMS

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*seeks support of media executives in reducing cases

 By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Coordinator of Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), Sekyen Dadik  has again, appealed to media executives to support the advocacy of the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiatives (NURHI) to step up reports in need for child spacing.
The appeal was made at the Devcoms Advocacy Breakfast meeting for Media Executives on Child Spacing, held on Thursday 15th February at I Care Conference Centre, Kaduna.
She said it was a follow up to the workshops they have held with reporters and on air personalities from their media houses.
The coordinator said maternal mortality remains high and Nigeria has overtaken India in high cases, while the North is leading in number of reported cars in Nigeria.
“UNDP suggests 814 deaths take place from 100,000 live births.
“Research shows that with child spacing, 30 per cent of maternal mortality can be reduced,” she added.
She said the media is key to reducing such deaths because of its influence and reach.
She explained that a Family Planning Media Forum will be formed in Kaduna and they would be meeting monthly.
Mr. Iliya Kure, said that AMDF and DEVCOMS are two different organisations formed by experienced media executives.
He said such meetings were aimed at making the media executives understand the issue of maternal mortality better.
He said just a week ago, a community just few kilometres from Kaduna metropolis visited, they knew nothing about child spacing and are still giving out their children in marriage at the age if 12.
“I was discussing with the chief Imam of the community. I told him that at this age, you don’t allow your daughter to go to school, allow your daughters to be educated and they will come back to serve your community.
“Kaduna is sensitized and you can even go on radio to discuss it, but in other states, you can’t.
“When a woman rests, there is a lot of advantage for the entire family.”
NURHI representative, Aisha Waziri commended the media for the crucial role it is playing in reducing maternal mortality.
She said it is only the media that know how to pass messages to rural communities, while calking for continuous support in reducing maternal mortality.
While contributing, Online Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers, Jacob Onjewu Dickson commended DEVCOMS, AMDF and NURHI for always engaging the media on issues pertaining to maternal mortality.
General Manager of Karama FM, Hajia Hauwa Abdullahi appreciated DEVCOMS for acknowledging the role of the media in reducing maternal mortality.
She expressed hope that in the next ten years, the story of maternal mortality would be different
“We will encourage our reporters to ensure that they report more on maternal mortality.
In his remarks, Head of News and Current Affairs, DITV/Alheri Radio said that the media needs to pass out informed information to the public and such can only be obtained at meetings like this.
He assured that the media will continue to do its best and give maximum cooperation to its reporters.
Some participants at the DEVCOMS Breakfast meeting with media executives in Kaduna on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

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