Creative Professionals Urge Women To Seek Reliable Pregnancy Information

Television producers have asked women to seek clear, practical and culturally relevant information to prepare for pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood.

They warned that fear, uncertainty and misinformation could affect their experiences before, during and after delivery.

Speaking recently in Lagos, Aisha Lawal, the director of Studio Production at AREWA24, said that access to reliable information was particularly important for first-time mothers, who might face uncertainty about pregnancy and childbirth.

Lawal said women needed guidance on pregnancy nutrition, antenatal care, birth preparedness, breastfeeding, newborn danger signs, immunisation and postnatal wellbeing.

She said providing mothers with accurate health information would help them make informed decisions about their wellbeing and that of their babies.

According to her, access to qualified health professionals and practical guidance could help women better understand what to expect throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

The chief executive officer of AREWA24 Television Network, Celestine Umeibe, said accessible health information could encourage mothers and their families to seek appropriate healthcare services at the right time.

Umeibe added that raising awareness about maternal and newborn health was essential to helping women understand the importance of professional medical care throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.

Maternal, newborn and child survival remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in parts of the North where health outcomes continue to lag behind other regions.

According to the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Nigeria recorded an infant mortality rate of 63 deaths per 1,000 live births, while neonatal mortality stood at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Earlier survey data also showed that under-five mortality in the North-West stood at 187 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 62 deaths per 1,000 live births in the South-West.