DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

Gates-Backed E-MOTIVE Initiative Targets Nigeria's Maternal Death Crisis

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Nigeria accounts for a significant portion of global maternal deaths, with an estimated one death every seven minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth complications.
  • The E-MOTIVE initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation, uses a low-cost intervention to improve early detection and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.
  • This evidence-based approach is showing promising results in states like Kano, offering a potential model to reverse Nigeria's high maternal mortality crisis.

Nigeria stands as the global epicenter of maternal mortality, with an estimated seven minutes passing between each woman's death from pregnancy or childbirth complications. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the primary culprit, yet a simple, low-cost intervention backed by the Gates Foundation is beginning to alter this grim statistic.

Every seven minutes, a Nigerian woman is estimated to die from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, making the country the global epicentre of maternal mortality.

Establishing the severity of Nigeria's maternal mortality crisis.

The E-MOTIVE initiative is demonstrating measurable declines in maternal deaths in the Nigerian states where it has been implemented. Experts believe this evidence-based intervention could be a key factor in reversing one of the country's most persistent public health crises.

Nigeria carries the heaviest maternal death burden of any country on earth.

Emphasizing Nigeria's leading role in global maternal deaths.

Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio is alarmingly high, estimated at 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births annually. This accounts for 28-29% of all maternal deaths worldwide, despite Nigeria having a small fraction of the global population. Contributing factors include only 43% of births being attended by skilled providers and 59% of deliveries occurring at home.

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), severe bleeding after childbirth, is the single leading cause of these deaths, responsible for an estimated 27 per cent of maternal deaths globally.

Identifying the primary cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria and globally.

E-MOTIVE tackles PPH, the leading cause of these deaths, by changing clinical routine rather than introducing a new drug. It combines a low-cost calibrated drape to objectively measure blood loss with a rapid treatment bundle. This "MOTIVE" protocol, massage, oxytocics, tranexamic acid, IV fluids, examination, and escalation, prioritizes early detection, a critical step in preventing fatal outcomes.

E-MOTIVE is one of the simplest innovations in maternal healthcare is helping health workers identify postpartum haemorrhage before it becomes fatal.

Describing the function and impact of the E-MOTIVE initiative.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog