The General Hospital, Ifako Ijaiye, joined its counterparts across the globe on Friday to mark the Y2021 World Patient Safety Day with the theme: “Safe Maternal and Newborn Care”.
Speaking at the event organised in collaboration with Medical Guild to mark the Day, the Medical Director, Dr. Bamidele Mustapha, assured expectant mothers of safe maternal and newborn care in the hospital, just as he decried the high number of women who die daily from preventable pregnancy-related causes.
In his words: "A study conducted globally by World Health Organisation (WHO), revealed that 810 women die every day from preventable pregnancy-related causes and childbirth. In another study, it was also discovered that 6700 newborns die every day, amounting to 47% of all under five-year-old deaths and about two million babies are stillborn every year, with over 40% occurring during childbirth".
Dr. Mustapha averred that many of these deaths and stillbirths could have easily been prevented by the provision of safe, quality and adequate care by skilled healthcare professionals working in a supportive environment, stressing that prevention is better than cure.
He stated that preventive healthcare services such as immunisation and screening tests are done during pregnancy to detect HIV and TB diseases, amongst others, in a bid to avoid complications that can arise during childbirth.
While imploring expectant mothers to always act safe and responsible during childbirth, Dr. Mustapha noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had compounded the burden of risks and harm women and newborns are exposed to, hence the need for a rigorous global awareness about patient safety.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, reiterated the aptness of the theme and the need to urgently act on safe and successful childbirth.
"As a critical stakeholder in the health sector in Lagos, the Medical Guild aligns with stakeholders to implement various strategies such as raising awareness, engaging in advocacy and carrying out urgent actions to achieve the goal of safe maternal and newborn care", he affirmed.
Also speaking, the Director of Clinical Services in the hospital, Dr. Omotayo Awobusuyi, highlighted the importance of creating awareness on early antenatal care in a registered healthcare facility, noting that with early registration, high-risk pregnancy can be detected and managed promptly and appropriately
The Head of Community Health and Chairman, Planning Committee of the programme, Dr. Ime Okon, stated that the hospital offers high standard healthcare services on safe maternal and newborn care to its numerous clients from far and wide.
She, therefore, encouraged would-be mothers to register for antenatal services in State-owned facilities to avoid unsafe care and harm to patients, which has become a global public health concern.
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