The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), has called on the government to address the needs of women with disabilities.
It also called for the promotion of gender balance in the healthcare workforce to enhance maternal and newborn health services in conflict-affected areas of the country.
Dr Emilia Iwu, the Nigerian Principal Investigator of the “Ensuring Quality Access and Learning for Mothers and Newborns in Conflict-Affected Contexts (EQUAL)” research project, IHVN, made this plea during a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja,
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project’s findings were shared at the meeting.
Iwu highlighted the poor maternal and newborn health outcomes in the country, citing recent United Nations estimates of 35 newborn deaths per 1000 live births in 2021.
According to her, the situation is particularly dire in the North-East Zone where the 2018 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey reported more than 1,500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, and 61 newborn deaths per 1000 live births.
She said that the EQUAL research project, funded by UK Aid and running from 2021 to 2026, was being conducted in Yobe State.
“Through literature reviews and key informant interviews, the research has revealed that cultural norms and religious beliefs hinder the timely seeking of maternal and newborn health services.
“For instance, women often require spousal permission to access medical care, and some believe that home births are divinely sanctioned,” she said.
Additionally, she said that men predominantly hold senior health roles, while women were more likely to occupy clinical or frontline positions.
She emphasised that promoting inclusion and gender balance in the healthcare system would increase the prioritisation of maternal and newborn health services.
She also urged the government to ensure the timely dissemination of policies and to sensitise health workers to facilitate the implementation of the policies in communities.
She emphasised the need for effective communication and engagement with a wider range of stakeholders through existing partner forums.
“Political leaders’ involvement is crucial for the sustainability of initiatives,” she stressed.
NAN reports that the EQUAL research project aims to improve the understanding of factors influencing the prioritisation of maternal and newborn health programmes and policies in Nigeria.
It seeks to accelerate progress towards better health outcomes for women and newborns in conflict-affected areas of North-East Nigeria.
IHVN is collaborating with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, and the Somali Research Development Institute (SORDI).
The Catholic University of Bukavu (UCD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is another partner of the research consortium. (NAN)