Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, yesterday declared a task force on hastened the decreased of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Inaugurating the task force in Abuja, he explained it had three months to make available a road map on reduction of maternal mortality in the nation.
He stated the high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) from the nation was unacceptable and had become vital to deal with challenge the moment you can.
He claimed secure motherhood proved to be a staple right for each pregnant woman.
The minister described materna“l mortality as the death of a woman in pregnancy or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of duration and site of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy.”
“It is noteworthy that a woman is a primary caregiver, nation builder and contributes significantly to the economic and social development of our great country.
“Safe motherhood, therefore, is critical to national development and no woman should die while giving life,” Adewole said.
He said Nigeria had the highest MMR far above the global rate, adding that the country had not done well in the health sector in the last 30 years.
“North-East is the worst in MMR followed by North-West and we are starting with six states. With time the programme will be extended to other states,” he explained.
