First Lady, Aisha Buhari has described maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria as a national crisis that must be addressed urgently because 33,000 Nigerian women die of childbirth related causes and 800,000 children never reaching their fifth birthday annually.
Buhari said this while making an address at a side event of the ongoing 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly tagged: Bringing Resilience and Stability In Nigeria: “A Long-term Strategy to improve Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition.”
According to the First Lady who was represented by wife of the Vice president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Nigeria contributes 14% of all maternal deaths globally.
She announced that her office is currently crafting a vision for an advocacy program which supports Nigerian women, new-borns, children and adolescents.
She said “I am uniquely positioned to be this advocate and watch dog.
“The road map and benchmarks have already been developed, but political commitment is required to turn these ideas into action that transform health systems and save live.”
She also explained that she is fully committed to ensuring that women, new-born, children and adolescents in Nigeria survive, thrive and live in an environment that prioritise the needs of those in marginalised, under-served and poorer segments of the population.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, added that strengthening the health sector will address all health issues facing the country.
He emphasised the need to shine the spotlight on these issues, and advocate for focused action.