By Theo Adegoke

A professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, and Country Director, JHpiego Corporation, Prof Emmanuel Otolorin has raised an alarm that about 40,000 women and  241,000 new-born die in Nigeria annually from pregnancy and other related complications.

Speaking at the weekend during a Family Planning Media Roundtable in Abuja, he said lack of family planning accounted for 610,000 abortions, a rate of 25 abortions per 1000 women aged 15 – 44.

Dr. Luther-King Fasehun is the Nigeria Country Director of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA).  In this interview with Health Correspondent Marcus Fatunmole,  he discussed the activities of the Foundation and its commitment towards the reduction of  child and maternal mortality in the country and beyond.

Excerpts

Could you please tell us a bit about the Wellbeing Foundation Africa?

With low contraceptive prevalence rate of about fifteen percent, Nigeria continues to record high unintended pregnancies, many of which are resolved through clandestine abortion, despite the country’s restrictive abortion law. Many of these often result in death or disability, a statement by Development Communications (DEVCOM) Network said on Monday.

This alarm comes as Nigeria celebrates Safe Motherhood Day, today August 23 – August 24.

The statement reads further:

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that the issue of maternal health could not be addressed without tackling the issue of family planning.

The Minister stated this in Abuja Tuesday when he received a report on: “Maternal Health in Nigeria, A Situation Report,” which was presented by Chima O.Izugbara, Senior Research Scientist on Population Dynamics and Reproductive Health, African Population and Health Research Centre.