Nigeria records 40,000 yearly

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, on Friday said no fewer than 40, 000 maternal deaths were recorded in Nigeria annually.

Entwistle said in statement in Lagos that many pregnant women in Nigeria often delay in seeking health care until potentially life-threatening conditions arose.

"There are 40,000 maternal deaths per year in Nigeria. We believe that no mother should die from preventable causes.

"Unfortunately, the state of primary health care in Nigeria paints a dismal picture for the future of many children.

"The excessively high maternal, neonatal and under-five death rates are reflections of inadequate availability and access to quality health services,’’ he said.

He expressed his government’s readiness to partner General Electric (GE), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in bringing quality health services to women and children in the country.

The envoy also said that his government, through USAID, had for many years been partnering Nigeria in improving health services as well as in educating Nigerians on the importance of health care.

According to him, the partnership is my government’s commitment to engage in effective and innovative alliances with the private sector in supporting Nigeria’s critical development needs.

"We look forward to continuing this partnership with the GE and the Government of Nigeria. Every dollar invested in health multiplies the benefits for productive activities.

"Together, we can support Nigeria’s efforts to be a stable and prosperous country, built by healthy and strong people,’’ he said.