Experts Seek Early Antenatal Care To Reduce Maternal Deaths In Nigeria

Perinatal health experts and stakeholders have called for increased awareness and early antenatal care for pregnant women to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria and other African countries.

The experts spoke in Kano at the opening of the three-day 2nd International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine organised by the African Perinatal Society, in collaboration with Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, with support from UNICEF.

The congress, themed, “Synergy in Practice: Transforming Perinatal Outcomes Through Obstetrics and Neonatal Partnerships,” attracted specialists from Nigeria and other countries, including Finland, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana and the United States.

In his keynote address, Finnish professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Maternal-Feotal Medicine, Vedran Stefanovic, said early booking for antenatal care could reduce maternal deaths at little or no cost.

Stefanovic said maternal mortality in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries remained disproportionately high compared with Europe, partly due to late presentation at antenatal clinics.

According to him, early antenatal care enables health workers to identify and prevent complications, including pre-eclampsia, HIV transmission, diabetes-related pregnancy complications and birth injuries.

He urged governments and health stakeholders to educate women, particularly those in rural communities, on the importance of early antenatal care and equip midwives and primary healthcare workers with basic skills and equipment.

Stefanovic also announced plans for continued collaboration with Nigerian specialists, including free hands-on ultrasound training and online interactive courses.

The President of the African Perinatal Society, Prof. Aliyu Labaran, said the congress was aimed at bringing together specialists from across Africa to develop practical solutions to the continent’s high maternal and perinatal mortality rates.

Labaran said practical training had been conducted for doctors, nurses and midwives from tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare facilities on fetal heart examination, fetal Doppler and neonatology.

He disclosed that some foreign participants had donated medical equipment to healthcare facilities in need, while plans were underway to cascade the training to other frontline health workers.

He added that the society would establish research collaborations with international experts to generate new evidence and improve maternal and neonatal care.

In his goodwill message, UNICEF Health Manager, Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum, commended the APS for promoting maternal, fetal and neonatal health through research, training and collaboration.

Seyoum said the congress would strengthen frontline health workers’ capacity and promote modern technologies, including ultrasound and telemedicine, to improve perinatal outcomes.