Mrs Franka Okeke, a maternal health advocate in the United Kingdom, urged all levels of government in Nigeria to improve healthcare facilities to reduce maternal mortality rates.
In a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, she shared her own harrowing experience of nearly dying during childbirth in a government hospital in Lagos.
Okeke emphasized the importance of increasing budgetary allocation to primary health facilities and enhancing their conditions for expectant mothers to help prevent maternal deaths in the country.
“Government at levels should invest adequate resources in infrastructure development, equipment and drugs for adequate provision of basic and comprehensive emergency care in accordance with global standards,” Okeke highlighted.
A champion for maternal health expressed alarm over the alarming rate of maternal mortality, urging the government to take immediate and decisive action to prevent unnecessary maternal deaths and ensure the safety and well-being of mothers.
She noted, “The government need to do something to stop the needless maternal deaths in Nigeria.
“There is a need to ensure proper monitoring of private hospitals because there are many with quack doctors, while government hospitals are too slow and there are some conditions that require urgent attention.
“Besides, the government should provide comprehensive health coverage for Nigerians, especially pregnant women so that out-of-pocket medical expenses can be minimised.”
Narrating her ordeal, Okeke mentioned, “God delivered me from near-death experience while giving birth. There is so much to thank God for in our lives.
“I had fluid in the lung, several complications, haematoma and sepsis. Even doctors misdiagnosed my condition.
“I had preterm twin babies and had to leave them for months to go to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and other places looking for solutions.
“The doctors said it was my womb that was protruded, which led to sepsis and more complications.
“Also, I have had surgery and doctors were not ready to repeat another. My blood level was very low but God saved me.”
Okeke, who stated that she currently released a single track song titled, “I’m Loving You Jesus” on YouTube and other digital outlets, said the song was meant to thank God for saving her life during childbirth.
Okeke also authored a book, “The Tears We Bleed”, which was endorsed by the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Nigeria, and sheds light on the pressing issues of maternal mortality and fistula in Nigeria, providing a personal and poignant account of these critical concerns.
