Maternal Health: Kwara Govt. Begins Free C-Section Across 5 Healthcare Facilities
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Kwara Government has commenced free Caesarian Section (C-section) operation for pregnant mothers with complications across five healthcare facilities in the state.
Dr. Amina El-Imam stated this in Ilorin while speaking at a 14-days Residential State Training of Trainers on Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrician and Newborn Care
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is organised by Kwara Government supported by the European Union Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) Programme.
She listed the facilities to include the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Aisha Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, Eiyenkonrin, General Hospital, Offa, Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) and General Hospital, Kiama.
NAN reports that C-section, is a surgical procedure where a baby is delivered through incisions made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus, instead of through the vagina.
El-Imam explained that the C-section is indicated in some instances to save the life of the mother and child.
She pointed out that this is necessary to reduce the burden of maternal mortality in the state, while reiterating the resolve of the state government in ensuring no woman and unborn baby die during child birth.
“These procedures are expensive, at least for the average common person. It is a good thing to say that in densely populated Kwara Central, we have three facilities now that can provide these services,” she said.
The commissioner stated that the Kwara government has also made provisions for free ante-natal care for pregnant mothers across 193 the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, (BHCPF) facilities.
She said that these healthcare facilities will provide the quality care requirements for pregnant mothers, adding that the state has abundance of contraceptive commodities for women who want to space their children.
El-Imam commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for prioritizing health of the populace, especially the vulnerable groups including women and children.
She also commended the EU-SARAH programme which tragets women and adolescent in ensuring safe sexual and reproductive health practices in Kwara.
In his opening address, Prof. Silas Ochele, the Lead Facilitator, observed that maternal mortality remains high in Nigeria and other third world countries.
He observed that advanced countries have timely intervention to save their women and children, adding that Nigeria must ensure signal function and intervention on safe mother and child healthcare is up-scaled.
Ochele explained further that the training will increase the knowledge, skills and promote excellent attitude required in managing emergency obstetrics.
Speaking also, the Kwara EU-SARAH Programme Officer, Dr. Kafayat Kofoworola, said the programme is a 14-days training of medical workers in the field of obstetrics health care.
She added that the training is expected to improve the indices of maternal and newborn healthcare in the state. (NAN)
=============