Expert tasks govts on maternal healthcare

By  Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Federal and state governments have been urged to step up its health programmes with a view to lifting Nigeria from being one of the countries with the worst maternal and child death profile in the world.

A consultant obstetrician and gyneacologist, Professor Emeka Egwuatu, made the appeal in a lecture at the 5th annual lecture organized by the management of Imo the State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Umuna, Orlu.

Egwuatu attributed the high rate of maternal and child death in Nigeria to poverty, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS pandemic and women genital mutilation among other things.

He called on government to allow those who were qualified to handle maternal cases to run hospitals and maternity, as well as provide free medical treatment to pregnant women and children in the country.

In her address, Imo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ada Okwuonu, said the status of IMSUTH has got a boost with the purchase and commissioning of some ultra modern medical equipment in the establishment.