Collective Action Needed to End Preventable Childbirth Deaths, Says Professor

Preventing women from dying during pregnancy and childbirth demands a unified effort from governments, healthcare professionals, communities, universities, and families, according to Professor Rosemary Ogu. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Port Harcourt described every maternal death as a human catastrophe, emphasizing that such losses go beyond medical shortcomings.

"Every maternal death is not merely a medical failure, but a human catastrophe; a life extinguished in the act of giving life, a child left motherless, a family destabilised and a nation quietly impoverished," Ogu stated during her inaugural lecture, titled ‘Sweet Mother: From Peril to Power’.

The reproductive health expert highlighted that maternal health reflects societal values and that safeguarding women during pregnancy and childbirth fosters stronger, healthier, and more equitable societies. She argued that investing in women's health is a moral imperative and a strategic investment in national development, given women's critical roles in society.

Ogu's lecture focused on research findings regarding the causes of maternal mortality and practical prevention measures. She called for expanded access to quality emergency obstetric care, encouraged community support for antenatal clinics, and urged men to actively participate in supporting their pregnant wives, noting that a lack of male involvement significantly contributes to maternal deaths.

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Every maternal death is not merely a medical failure, but a human catastrophe; a life extinguished in the act of giving life, a child left motherless, a family destabilised and a nation quietly impoverished.