40,000 Nigerian Mothers Die Annually at Childbirth – US Ambassador
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, said yesterday that Nigeria loses no fewer than 40,000 mothers during childbirth every year.
Entwistle made the revelation in a statement in which he said many pregnant women in Nigeria often delay in seeking healthcare until potentially life-threatening conditions arise.
“There are 40,000 maternal deaths per year in Nigeria. We believe that no mother should die from preventable causes. Unfortunately, the state of primary healthcare in Nigeria paints a dismal picture for the future of many children.
“The excessively high maternal, neonatal and under-five death rates are reflections of inadequate availability and access to quality health services,’’ the envoy said.
The US diplomat however expressed that his government was ready to partner General Electric (GE), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in bringing quality health services to women and children in the country.
The envoy also said that his government, through the USAID, had for many years been partnering Nigeria in improving health services as well as in educating Nigerians on the importance of healthcare.
He noted that the partnership is his government’s commitment to engage in effective and innovative alliances with the private sector in supporting Nigeria’s critical development needs.
“We look forward to continuing this partnership with the GE and the Government of Nigeria. Every dollar invested in health multiplies the benefits for productive activities.
“Together, we can support Nigeria’s efforts to be a stable and prosperous country, built by healthy and strong people,” he said.
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