Maternal deaths: Women doctors demand action as Nigeria loses 75,000 mothers yearly
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readThe Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State Branch, held its 2026 Annual General Meeting to address the critical state of maternal and child health. Experts called for urgent systemic reforms, emphasizing that women physicians must secure leadership roles to effectively influence healthcare policy and reduce preventable mortality rates.
Context & Background
- ✦Nigeria faces a severe maternal mortality crisis with a ratio of 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the SDG target of 70.
- ✦Systemic failures in primary healthcare, including poor referral systems, lack of emergency blood, and inadequate infrastructure, continue to hinder maternal and child health outcomes.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Professor Kikelomo Ololade Wright, Keynote Speaker, who emphasized that women physicians must lead policy formulation.•Dr. Ime Maria Edwin Okon, President of MWAN Lagos, who advocated for the integration of AI and telemedicine to improve healthcare delivery.
Outlook & Next Steps
MWAN members are encouraged to adopt underserved communities, strengthen maternal interventions, and advocate for improved government funding and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of medical professional migration.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Nigeria records approximately 75,000 maternal deaths annually, equating to one woman dying every seven minutes from pregnancy-related complications.
- Professor Kikelomo Ololade Wright urged women physicians to transition from clinical roles to active participation in healthcare policy-making and strategic leadership.
- The current maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria is estimated at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly exceeding the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70.
Key Facts:2018-2024: Nigeria's under-five mortality rate showed a marginal decline from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2024.2023: The United Nations reported that approximately 75,000 Nigerian women died from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications in 2023.2025: Nigeria recorded an estimated 2.2 million zero-dose children, representing the highest number globally.
Editorial Excerpt
… Women physicians must move from hospital wards to policy-making tables — Wright… Says one Nigerian woman dies every seven minutes from pregnancy-related complications… Calls for urgent reforms in maternal and child healthcareBy Chioma Obinna Women physicians on Wednesday in Lagos called for...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What are the primary causes of preventable maternal deaths in Nigeria?
Key causes include obstetric haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, sepsis, unsafe abortion-related complications, and ruptured uterus.
What role does the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) advocate for its members?
MWAN advocates for women physicians to move beyond clinical practice to occupy leadership positions on hospital boards and health committees to influence healthcare policy.
