University of Lagos (UNILAG) has canvassed more reduction in maternal deaths.
This was at the Eighth Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele yearly lecture on Thursday in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the College of Medicine University of Lagos(CMUL) Idi-Araba.
Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Lecture Prof. Oluwole Familoni said the theme of the lecture ”Human Reproduction Through Evolutionary Perils: Moving Nigerian Women from Danger to Safety” was apt and timely as many women face preventable risks.
”Maternal mortality unequal access to quality healthcare cultural and social barriers gaps in reproductive-health education and delays in seeking or receiving medical attention demand urgent and sustained action” he added.
The don said there was the need to move women from the danger zone but that this required ”stronger maternal-health services accessible family planning and reproductive care effective public education and timely affordable and restful treatment for every woman”.
Familoni was hopeful that despite the challenges in the sector there was a ray of hope as ”there are meaningful opportunities for progress”.
”Through research education inclusive policies and sustained engagement with communities we can improve health outcomes and help young people make informed decisions about their reproductive health and future”.
Provost CMUL Prof Ademola Oremosu praised the late Mrs Omololu-Mulele a lawyer and educationist among others for the endowment saying it had helped to boost medical education.
She had endowed N36 million each for the yearly lecture in medicine in her name and Ladipo Mobolaji Abisogun Afoedu pharmacy lecture in her Will and Testament at UNILAG to fund research and enhance industry-university cooperation through research.
Oremosu said yearly the ”lecture reminds us of the power of structured intentional giving. We are gathered here because of the foresight of this illustrious Abiola. She was not just a legal luminary; an educationist and philanthropist. She was a visionary who understood that the future of a nation is bound to the health of its women and children.
”Through her generous N36 million endowment at that time to the University of Lagos Chief Abiola ensured that long after her passing her name will remain synonymous with medical research innovation and clinical advancement in obstetrics and gynecology. Her family and the board of trustees deserve our deep appreciation for sustaining this vital platform which bridges academic inquiry and real-world working solutions year after year.”
He said the topic of the lecture struck ”at the very heart of challenges in maternal health in a region where reproductive healthcare requires urgent innovation increased funding and interdisciplinary collaboration these annual gatherings serve as a beacon for action”.
”Here at CMUL he continued ”with the inventive commitment to expanding our research capacities enhancing postgraduate training curricula and fostering the kind of grants yielding fundable research that changes outcomes and creates impact the insights shared by our distinguished guest lecturer would definitely sharpen our tools inspire young researchers and redefine our approach to women’s health challenges”.
. President Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) Prof Okechukwu Christian Ikpeze who was the guest lecturer painted a gloomy picture of maternal health despite the efforts of the government organisations SOGON and individuals.
Relying on statistics Ikpeze said worse still it was unbelievable that Lagos State was promoting the use of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) warning that this was archaic and could compound the problem the governments were trying to solve. Noting that the maternal deaths are preventable he submitted that with knowledge and tools available to the experts the ”ancient perils should no longer be” a problem. Still he said ”every preventable maternal death is a failure of systems access timing and sometimes of our collective will”.
What then is the way forward? ”Government must lead with commitment. Professional associations must continue to provide expertise advocacy and accountability. Development partners must support with resources and innovation. Health workers must be trained motivated and equipped. Communities and families must be engaged. and women themselves must be empowered to seek and receive quality care without delay” Ikpeze added.
He thanked MAMI MPDSR VASA the NDHS SOGON FIGO and others for their efforts at reducing maternal deaths. However he sought the implementation and funding of these efforts and ensured these got to the women in the village city those in labour at midnight and others whose lives depended on prompt and skilled care.
An awardee of this year’s grant Dr. Moses Ayokunle Olumodeji of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital(LASUTH) presented his research at the event.
The Vice Chancellor UNILAG Prof Folashade Ogunsola sent a goodwill message.
Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie formerly a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist LUTH and President Academy of Medical Sciences Prof Oladapo Ashiru who was the chairman of the lecture were recognised for their contributions to the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.