The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) has commended Akwa Ibom State Government’s contributions to maternal and child health, especially, through the Office of the First Lady.
SOGON made this known during the 58th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, with the theme, “Sustaining Quality Maternal Child Health in a Challenging Economy”.
In his address, the National President of SOGON, Prof. Okechukwu Ikpeze, maintained that Nigeria accounts for nearly one-third (28.5%) of global maternal deaths, adding that in 2020, Nigeria’s MMR was 1,047 deaths/100,000 live births which he described as very high.
He listed factors that hinder Maternal and Child Health (MHC) to include: Limited access to quality antenatal, postnatal, and child healthcare, especially in rural areas; Shortage of well-trained and adequately compensated healthcare providers, and limited insurance coverage for women and child.
Prof. Ikpeze noted that the essence of the conference was targeted at enhancing collaboration among Gynecologists and Obstetricians in the country, and also give insights into the industry’s
He explained that the choice of Uyo and Akwa Ibom for the AGM and Conference was informed by the city’s accessibility by both air and road from every part of the country and commended the Local Organizing Committee for working assiduously towards ensuring a successful event.
Declaring the conference open, the Akwa Ibom state Governor, Pastor Dr. Umo Eno assured his administration’s commitment to providing model health care centers in each local government area of the state, by the end of next year.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor stressed that with the available facilities in the rural communities, the issue of pregnant women delivering at homes courtesy of untrained traditional birth attendants will be largely addressed and will also give room to rural development as enshrined in the ARISE Agenda of this administration.
Dr. Umo Eno observed that the theme of the Conference captures the efforts of his administration vis-a-vis the task of ensuring access to quality health care by women, children and all Akwa Ibomites in the face of declining purchasing power of families.
He revealed plans to build a befitting Doctors quarters and provide personnel with comfort which will enhance their productivity, halt the brain drain in the sector and further minimize medical tourism which has caused the state so much revenue in foreign exchange.
“As I speak, we have already commissioned some model health centres, equipped with modern facilities, power supply and staff quarters, while many others are at advanced stages of completion. Before the end of next year, each Local Government Area of this State will have at least, one model health centre.
“With these facilities at the grassroots, there will be improved access to healthcare and a substantial reduction in the rates of maternal and neonatal mortality.
“Our goal is to align with the vision of the World Health Organization, where every pregnant woman and newborn baby receives quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period. We are also consciously in pursuit of goal 3.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals, of reducing maternal mortality ratio to less than seven per every 100,000 births by 2030. There is no gainsaying that, with these facilities sited in the grassroots, the issue of pregnant women delivering at home, courtesy of untrained traditional bed attendants, will be largely addressed”, he said.
In his Welcome Speech, the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Prof. Emem Bassey, who welcomed members of the Society to Uyo, said he was elated to gather the best minds in the profession across the country to share knowledge, new innovations, and experiences which will shape the future of women’s healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.
The event featured goodwill messages and presentation of a Posthumous Award of Excellence in service to humanity, to the wife of the Governor, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno for her contributions to women’s health and advocacy against gender based violence.
