The Burden
Pregnancy-related deaths have been a burden, as every two minutes a woman dies of pregnancy-related causes globally. The maternal mortality rate is 218 per 100,000 live births. Nigeria has the 4th highest maternal mortality rate in the world, currently at 1,047 per 100,000 live births. Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is the most common cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 28.8% of maternal deaths.
Access to health facilities and skilled birth attendants plays a pivotal role in the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria. The country’s neonatal mortality rate ranks 2nd highest globally at 41 per 1,000 live births. This exposes the fragility of the nation’s health system.
Courtesy visit to former minister of state for health, Dr. Toyin Taiwo
CHAN’s Approach
CHAN partners with Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) to implement the MNCH projects from 2024–2027, funded by the Gates Foundation, in 150 faith-based organizations (FBOs), 54 secondary health centres, and 96 primary health centres across 22 states in Nigeria, with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities.
Through the training of 500 health workers on Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (with a focus on PPH innovation), introducing the EMOTIVE bundle in early detection of PPH, and the Comprehensive Care of the Newborn Course, as well as the donation of some essential commodities and drugs to these facilities such as heat-stable carbetocin, calibrated drapes, misoprostol, oxytocin, multi-micronutrients, and CPAP devices, CHAN will accelerate availability and access to high-impact, quality-assured MNCH commodities and products in the faith-based health sector.
This initiative will also build the capacity of healthcare workers to align practices and interventions for PPH and neonatal care with national guidelines and advocate for investment in high-impact MNCH interventions and products across all levels.
Project Pictures
