UNICEF has revealed a disturbing figure showing that
one Nigerian woman dies every seven minutes from childbirth or
pregnancy-related complications.
The agency made the disclosure while warning that
Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is worsening and that urgent improvements are
needed in healthcare services for pregnant women across the country.
UNICEF estimates that Nigeria records about 75,000
maternal deaths each year—one of the highest figures globally. The agency said
most of these deaths are preventable, but continue due to weak healthcare
infrastructure, shortages of trained health workers, poverty, poor emergency
response systems, and limited access to quality maternal care, particularly in
rural areas.
Medical experts say many women still cannot reach
hospitals with skilled birth attendants, while others struggle to pay for
antenatal services amid rising economic hardship. UNICEF noted that common
causes of maternal deaths include severe bleeding after childbirth, infections,
unsafe abortions, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and delayed emergency
treatment.
The agency added that northern Nigeria and
conflict-affected areas record the highest number of cases because of
insecurity, displacement, and poor access to functioning healthcare facilities.
Health experts have also warned that the migration of
Nigerian doctors and nurses abroad is making the situation worse. Over recent
years, thousands of healthcare workers have left for countries such as the
United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, leaving many public hospitals
understaffed and overwhelmed.
Globally, the United Nations says a woman dies every
two minutes from pregnancy or childbirth complications, with sub-Saharan Africa
accounting for the majority of cases.
UNICEF is now calling on governments, healthcare
institutions, and development partners to take stronger and faster action to
prevent avoidable deaths and improve maternal healthcare outcomes in Nigeria.
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