Experts Recommend Plateau Council’s Model Against Maternal Mortality

Health experts have described a community-based maternal health intervention in Mangu local government area of Plateau State as a viable blueprint for reducing Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate.
Nigeria accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global maternal deaths, with national estimates placing the maternal mortality ratio at over 500 deaths per 100,000 live births, a situation experts say is worse in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

In Mangu, however, a targeted intervention focused on the use of low-cost, evidence-based commodities is reversing the trend.

The project, implemented through a sector-wide approach, prioritised access to misoprostol for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage and chlorhexidine gel for safe umbilical cord care, both recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Postpartum haemorrhage is responsible for about a quarter of maternal deaths in Nigeria, while poor cord care practices contribute significantly to newborn infections and deaths.

At the launch of the intervention at Primary Health Care Mangu 1, the project lead and national health fellow, Peace Daful, stated that repeated encounters with preventable maternal and newborn deaths in rural communities inspired the initiative.

She said the project combined commodity support, training of frontline health workers, community sensitisation and collaboration with government agencies, private organisations and civil society groups.

According to her, primary healthcare centres involved in the project recorded improved availability and correct use of misoprostol during childbirth. In contrast, the use of chlorhexidine replaced harmful traditional practices such as applying toothpaste, salt and spirit to newborns’ umbilical cords.

Preliminary monitoring data indicate fewer complications from excessive bleeding after delivery and a decline in reported cases of severe newborn infections.

The monitoring and evaluation officer for Primary Health Care in Mangu LGA, Mr Alfred Potal, described the intervention as timely and impactful.

Potal, who spoke on behalf of the director of Primary Health Care in the local government, said the support would reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in Mangu and neighbouring communities.

He also commended the federal government’s National Health Fellowship Programme, noting that Daful’s contributions had strengthened healthcare delivery in the area.

She expressed gratitude for the intervention, saying the knowledge gained would help protect her child and others in the community.

Experts say the Mangu experience aligns with Nigeria’s National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health Strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 3.

They added that the model demonstrated how targeted investments, community ownership and strong primary healthcare systems can deliver measurable gains in maternal survival across the country.