International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A Nigerian federal government official has said it is committed to bringing down the country's maternal mortality rate.

Dr Bridget Okoeguale, director of family health at Nigeria's health ministry, said the chances of women dying during childbirth have been too high in recent years, This Day reports.

"For now, our maternal mortality rate is 545 per 100,000 live births," she commented.

"That is very high and nothing to be proud of."

She noted the federal government has been looking to engage with state administrations to improve grassroots healthcare and family planning services.

However, Dr Okoeguale warned that many states have been making other issues more of a priority rather than creating a budget line for family planning in particular.

Boosting the availability of contraceptive tools such as condoms has been high on the agenda for Nigeria's federal government in the last year, she noted.

Dr Okoeguale added that organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund and USAID have also provided assistance to tackle Nigeria's continuing maternal mortality problems.

Posted by Paul Robertson