No Woman Should Die Giving Birth – Edo Health Commissioner Announces New Plan to Reduce Maternal Deaths

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing maternal and newborn deaths, with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, declaring that no woman should lose her life while giving birth.

Speaking on Thursday at the seventh anniversary celebration of Med-Vical International and the launch of its Med-Vical School Health Programme and Maternal, Small and Sick Newborn Infants Initiative (MaSSNII) in Benin City, Oshiomhole said protecting the lives of mothers and newborns remains one of the state’s top healthcare priorities.

He said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo is strengthening primary healthcare centres, renovating health facilities and expanding access to quality healthcare across Edo State to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

“The health of mothers and children remains the foundation of every prosperous society,” the commissioner said.

“When we invest in safe motherhood, we are investing in the future of our children.

“While we have recorded significant progress, we must continue to confront our challenges with honesty and urgency because every maternal death is one too many.”

Oshiomhole recalled a painful incident during his years of medical practice involving a woman who died shortly after what appeared to be a successful Caesarean section at the Central Hospital in Benin City.

He said the experience reinforced the need for continuous improvements in maternal healthcare and proper medical assessment before delivery.

According to him, every pregnant woman, especially those undergoing Caesarean delivery, should be thoroughly assessed for risk factors such as infections and multiple pregnancies and given appropriate preventive care.

“Every mother who comes to our hospitals to give life deserves to return home safely to her family,” he said.

“The government cannot do it alone. Meaningful partnerships remain critical.”

Earlier, Chairman of Med-Vical International, Prof. Ehijie Enato, described Nigeria’s maternal and newborn health situation as alarming, noting that the country records the highest number of newborn deaths in Africa and the second highest globally.

He said the organisation would continue to complement government efforts by providing quality clinical services, training frontline healthcare workers and implementing community-based programmes aimed at reducing maternal, newborn and child deaths.

The event also witnessed the launch of the Med-Vical School Health Programme (MSH) and the Maternal, Small and Sick Newborn Infants Initiative (MaSSNII), both designed to improve healthcare for mothers, newborns and school children.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled, “Preserving Our Future: Innovation Strategies for Accelerating Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Outcomes in Nigeria,” Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Infectious Diseases, Prof. George Akpede, said Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not the lack of innovation but the poor implementation of proven healthcare interventions.

“The conversation should no longer be about discovering new innovations alone. We already have effective, evidence-based interventions that can save thousands of mothers and babies if we consistently apply them,” he said.

According to Akpede, many of the country’s maternal and child health challenges persist not because solutions are unavailable but because existing interventions have not been fully implemented.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Jerry Eiyegbenin, represented by his son, Eiyegbenin Jerry (Jnr.), also called on governments, development partners and private organisations to support Med-Vical International’s programmes aimed at improving maternal and newborn healthcare.

The event brought together healthcare professionals, government officials and development partners who renewed calls for stronger collaboration to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths and improve healthcare services across Edo State and Nigeria.