MOTHERS’ HEALTH: Key to Survival, Growth & Development of Babies

 

Adamawa State Government in collaboration with UNICEF has organized a Media Dialogue on maternal mortality in Yola – the state capital, aimed at engaging journalists and media practitioners on this critical issue, strengthening media reporting on maternal and child health, fostering greater public awareness and advocacy for improved maternal health outcomes in the State.

Addressing the participants, the Executive Chairman, Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Yola, Dr. Suleiman, Sa’id Bashir, posited that the health and well-being of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth and the period after delivery is very significant.

 

He added that it covers the physical, emotional and social well-being of the mother from the beginning of pregnancy through childbirth and the postpartum period, insisting that good maternal health is important because the health of a mother directly affects the survival, growth and development of her baby.

 

“Pregnant women and new mothers may experience a number of health challenges, including anaemia, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia, excessive bleeding, infections, malnutrition, complications during labour, mental and emotional health problems, and or lack of access to healthcare.” - Dr. Bashir.

 

According to Dr. Bashir the causes of these challenges can be grouped into Medical Causes – which are hypertension, anaemia, infections, malaria and pregnancy complications. Social and Economic Causes - which are poverty, poor nutrition, lack of education and inadequate family support. Healthcare-Related Causes – which are inadequate antenatal care, distance to health facilities, shortage of skilled healthcare workers and delays in seeking treatment.

 

“The good news is that when mothers receive proper antenatal care, good nutrition, skilled care during delivery and timely medical attention, many maternal health challenges can be prevented, detected early or successfully treated.” – Dr. Bashir.

On his part, UNICEF Health Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Oluseyi Olosunde, revealed that mothers should therefore attend antenatal and postnatal appointments regularly, eat nutritious and varied meals and drink enough safe water, take medicines and supplements only as prescribed by a qualified health professional, avoid alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances, maintain good personal hygiene, get adequate rest and seek emotional support when needed, give birth with the assistance of a skilled health professional, and seek immediate medical attention when danger signs appear.

 

Olosunde added that mothers should also protect the health of their babies by beginning breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, where medically appropriate, practicing exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, unless a health professional advises otherwise, taking the baby for routine immunization according to the national immunization schedule, keeping the baby's surroundings clean and safe, ensuring the baby receives appropriate nutrition after six months alongside continued breastfeeding.

 

“Others include attending routine growth and development checks, seeking medical attention immediately if the baby has difficulty breathing, refuses to feed, develops fever, becomes unusually weak, has convulsions, or shows other worrying symptoms.” – Olosunde.

 

He advised that maternal health is not only the responsibility of the mother. Husbands, families, communities, healthcare workers and government all have important roles to play.

 

“Families should not wait until a pregnancy or childbirth problem becomes an emergency before seeking medical care. Early antenatal care, skilled delivery, proper nutrition, postnatal care and prompt treatment of danger signs can save the lives of both mothers and babies.” - Olosunde.

 

Therefore, a healthy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby and a safer pregnancy and childbirth experience. Every mother deserves access to accurate health information, quality healthcare, emotional support and timely emergency care. Protecting maternal health is therefore an investment in the health and future of families, communities, and the entire nation.