International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Healthcare practitioners in Nigeria's Enugu state are being trained in emergency obstetric care skills.

According to Dr Damaris Onwuka of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), this could help to reduce the number of women in the region dying while giving birth.

Speaking to Nigerian newspaper the Guardian, she said many of the fatalities come about because it takes too long for women in rural areas to get transport to see a doctor at Enugu State Teaching Hospital.

Therefore, transport provision is also being addressed by NPHCDA to support its efforts to curb maternal mortality.

"We have some major causes of maternal death to include bleeding during pregnancy, infection and obstructed labour," Dr Onwuka commented.

"The major thing here is the delay in attending to the cases."

Dr Onwuka added that taking steps to cut the maternal mortality rate in Enugu State could help Nigeria's efforts to meet its Millennium Development Goals.

Posted by Alexandra George