*Over 500 pregnant women benefits from ICH 2023 bi-annual Health Initiative
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Medical Director of Ibadan Central Hospital, (ICH), Dr Muyiwa Bewaji has disclosed that maternal mortality rate is now lower in the Southwest part of Nigeria.
Dr Bewaji said this in Ibadan on Monday, while speaking at the ICH 2023 bi-annual health initiative tagged: “Health Gathering” during which over 500 pregnant women from across Oyo state benefited.
According to Dr Bewaji, the reduction in the maternal mortality rate might not be unconnected with sensitisation of pregnant women and focused anti-natal healthcare programmes
“We sensitize them on importance of anti-natal care, what to expect during pregnancy and for them to know how to take care of their child after delivery,” he said.
Dr Bewaji added, “We also give them gift inform of raffle draw, this year’s event is special because it coincide with our 25th anniversary, we are having another section for children that were born in this hospital over a decade ago by next week, we are taking care of mothers this week.”
Speaking on the activities marking the 25th anniversary of the hospital, Dr Bewaji said the purpose of the event was to celebrate, appreciate and sensitize pregnant women in the state, particularly in Ibadan and it’s environs on importance of anti-natal and what to expect during pregnancy.
Dr Bewaji pointed out that pregnant women were basically chosen for the programme upon realizing the role of mothers in the society as well as importance of maternal healthcare.
General Manager of the hospital, Olajumoke Caxton-Martins while speaking described the event as way of giving back to the society considering that maternal mortality is still high in Nigeria, hence the need to educate expectant mother’s on what know.
According to her, some women still prefer to give birth at home or in Mission Homes, and that it has become imperative to educate them on what to know whenever their health is been threatened.
“They need to know what is normal and abnormal, this our own way of giving back to the society, educating them on what they need to pay attention to, we bring together pregnant women twice every year, we feed them, entertain and sensitise them”, she said
Dr Caxton-Martins added, ” Women are important to homes because they take care of the children and family, which is the bedrock to any society, we teach them how to have these children and how to take care of them after delivery.”
The General Manager lamented that brain drain is also affecting private hospitals because doctors are in high demand everywhere in Nigeria and this is affecting the society but her hospital still manage to handle the situation.
