BRITAIN has expressed concern over the high number of Nigerian women who die from complications of childbirth particularly unwanted pregnancies that could have been prevented.
Speaking yesterday during a tour of family planning clinic at the 105-capacity Maitama District Hospital in Abuja, the permanent secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development (Dfid), Mark Lowcock , said it is a big challenge considering the fact that more than 100 women lose their lives daily giving birth across Nigeria. He confirmed the UK’s commitment to continue offering support for family planning commodities and the training of health workers to provide services.
“The British government wants to provide the best possible services for the people of Nigeria,” Mr Lowcock said.
Dfid, through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is considered the biggest funder of family planning commodities and services available through public health facilities.
Receiving Mr Lowcock and United Nations under secretary and the UNFPRA executive director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin to the Maitama General Hospital, the executive secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwan Mohammed, said a total of 236 centres provide family planning in the FCT, up from 60 in 2011.
Also, the medical director of the hospital, Dr Adetoun Sotimehin explained that the Maitama District Hospital’s three-room complex family planning clinic alone has seen an average of 266 clients every month this year, suggesting increased uptake.
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