Odion Ikyo
Social WorkerNulla totam rem metus nunc hendrerit ex voluptatum deleniti laboris, assumenda suspendisse, maecenas malesuada morbi a voluptate massa! Hendrerit, egestas.
Recent figures indicate that Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios, 914 per 100,000 live births, estimated to account for 19 per cent of the global maternal deaths. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every day in Nigeria, about 154 women between the ages of 15 and 45 years die from preventable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth. From research, we know that for every woman that dies, many more
women are left with temporary or permanent disabilities. Many of these deaths and injuries have been left untold because no adequate data capturing measures were put in place. We can’t overemphasize the need for proper data to carry out evidence-based solutions and treatments. While many factors lead to maternal mortality, we also know that poor systems strengthening are a major cause of maternal mortality in Nigeria. It is estimated that about 58,000 Nigerian women die yearly from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These figures are at best a representation of data that was collated 5-7 years back as most government facilities especially the primary health centers still rely on manual methods for all their processes including referrals. Of the women affected the most by maternal mortality are women who live in low income communities and IDP camps. The inequality gap between these groups of women and those in urban cities are high. One of the ways to bridge this gap is by introducing data to optimize maternal services for these groups of women. Digital solutions have become a big part of our world providing more tools to those needing maternal healthcare – during all phases.
In developed worlds, hospitals and patients are seeking tools that support maternal health while offering greater convenience and efficiency, along with more comprehensive, culturally competent care. This is still far from reality for women in low income communities and internally displaced camps. We know that the first contact of any woman in low income communities with health facilities starts with the primary health centers (PHC). Digital solutions can support PHCs’ efforts as they work to improve pregnant womens’ outcomes and experiences.
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