Mrs. Olajumoke Caxton-Martins, the Group General Manager of Ibadan Central Hospital, emphasized the importance of the Federal Government taking action to address the migration of doctors and other healthcare professionals to foreign countries.

This ongoing migration is significantly affecting the quality of healthcare services needed by pregnant women, according to Caxton-Martins. She pointed out that the declining number of skilled maternal health specialists has led to challenges in providing adequate care for numerous pregnant women.

“This would naturally affect infant and maternal mortality, Government should to do more to provide affordable and accessible basic healthcare facilities for pregnant women” she asserted.

Addressing a gathering focused on maternal health for expectant mothers in Ibadan on Wednesday, Mrs. Olajumoke Caxton-Martins emphasized the necessity for increased funding for the establishment of essential healthcare facilities. The event, organized by Ibadan Central Hospital (ICH), was held to commemorate the hospital’s 26th anniversary.

Caxton-Martins highlighted the importance of adequate funding and improved working conditions for medical professionals as crucial elements in preventing the brain drain of healthcare experts from Nigeria. She expressed concern that this migration of skilled professionals poses a significant threat to the healthcare sector.

In light of the economic challenges faced by many in the country, Caxton-Martins observed that pregnant women are encountering difficulties in accessing proper nutrition and care for themselves and their unborn children. She urged the government to implement special policies aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by pregnant women and addressing their needs.

Additionally, Caxton-Martins urged collaboration between the public and private sectors, emphasizing the importance of joining forces with ICH to provide complimentary medicines, food, and essential medical services to individuals in local markets and rural communities.

“Pregnant women and nursing mothers need to feed well to be able to nurture the life in them and the lives they have just given birth to.

“Things are getting astronomically expensive and it is directly impacting on the ability of people to procure drugs.

“So, we ask for intervention. We also look for non-governmental organisations that can help,” she further stated.

In the meantime, Dr. Kareem Ahmed, the ICH Branch Managing Director, mentioned that the hospital has been conducting healthcare programs for expectant mothers on a periodic basis. These initiatives are designed to provide education to pregnant women about their health status and the essential aspects they should pay attention to during pregnancy.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized the importance of the government encouraging private healthcare facilities to collaborate as partners in delivering high-quality healthcare services. He suggested that this collaboration could be promoted through measures such as ensuring a consistent power supply and other forms of support to help reduce the operational expenses of private medical establishments.

In addition, Mrs. Titilayo Adeloye, one of the participants at the event, applauded ICH for organizing such a program but expressed concern about the exorbitant costs associated with purchasing baby products from the market.