MALARIA MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY IN NIGERIA

"Nigeria rates second in malaria maternal/infant mortality" The pathetic news that Nigeria still leads the pack in both infant and maternal mortality in the world, only behind India in say the least disgusting and therefore unacceptable. more so, when you consider the abundant resources at the country's disposal. A reproductive health expert, Dr. Edike Oji says maternal morality rates still high in Nigeria and requires urgent attention to check the trend.

Oji is the country's Director of IPAS Nigeria, a non-governmental organization that protects women's health and advances women reproductive rights. he told news agencies of Nigeria that in spite of efforts made by government and stakeholders, maternal mortality rate was still high in Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria was second to India in maternal deaths in the world. "if you look at the maternal mortality rate which is an indication of maternal health in any country, a few years, our maternal mortality was one thousand one hundred. but the last check was new put it at 545 maternal deaths for every hundred thousand live birth but you can see that 545 is still huge, still very very high compared to some countries who have maternal mortality of about four - five.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Commissioner for Health Dr. Isaac Salako, has disclosed that about 4,500 pregnant women die of malaria in the country annually. he also estimated that 50 percent of population had at least one episode of malaria each year while children below five years of age had two to four attacks of malaria each year. malaria he stressed remains a great threat to the survival of the young African children accounting for 30 percent of all children death. He said the disease is no respecter of age, sex or bribe. people of all ages have regular attacks throughout their lives.

However young children and pregnant women are most at risk of sever malaria and death. prevention is better that cure, it is only better to prevent malaria,  but it is cheaper. we therefore urge pregnant women not to hesitate to always go for ante-natal.