Image: Prof. Akin Abayomi speaking
Unsafe termination of pregnancy contributes up to 13% of maternal deaths in Lagos State, the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos Sector, disclosed during an advocacy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.
Led by former SOGON National President, Prof. Rotimi Akinola, and Lagos Sector Chairman, Prof. Abidoye Gbadegesin, the delegation outlined persistent challenges in maternal and neonatal mortality, calling for policy reforms and expanded professional involvement.
Prof. Akinola emphasised that while SOGON is not campaigning for indiscriminate abortion, medically indicated, safely performed terminations must be accessible under clear, practical guidelines. “We seek policy clarity to reduce preventable fatalities—this is not a moral debate but a public health imperative.”
Prof. Abayomi, welcoming SOGON’s proposals, reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s zero-tolerance stance on preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. “It is unacceptable for any mother to die from avoidable causes,” he said. Drawing on insights from Southeast Asia, he underscored that investing in family health and maternal welfare is critical infrastructure for Lagos’s future.
“Every loss is a failure. We must deploy all mechanisms—regulation, education, and community-level interventions—to reverse these statistics.” He described childbirth as one of life’s most extreme transitions—whether natural or assisted—and stressed the State’s commitment to making that journey safer for both mother and child. Among policy measures under consideration are the discreet, policy-aligned provision of safe termination services and the redesign and expansion of Maternal and Childcare Centres across Lagos.
The Commissioner welcomed SOGON’s data-driven recommendations to scale up OB-GYN residency programs in general hospitals. He urged the Society to provide information on the WHO-recommended doctor-to-population ratio, current residency capacity, and requirements for establishing new programmes.
“To make obstetrics and gynaecology more appealing to young doctors, mentorship and hands-on exposure during training are essential,” Prof. Abayomi said. He called for stronger integration of professional bodies in policy design, especially in decentralising obstetric care to under-served areas.
Related news
In an earlier news report, dating from 5 April 2025, the Lagos State Government vowed to hold accountable all parties involved in the shocking and tragic death of Mrs. Folajimi, a pregnant woman who tragically lost her life in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki.
Public outrage erupted as reports suggest that the private healthcare facility she sought help from denied her emergency care due to a lack of financial deposit, leaving her and her unborn child in peril. In a swift response, the Lagos State Government has launched an urgent investigation into the circumstances of the death. The Ministry of Health, working in partnership with the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), has set up a dedicated panel to probe the matter, identify breaches in medical standards, and determine the degree of negligence involved.
According to Abayomi, initial reports indicated that both a traditional birth attendant and a private hospital were involved in the incident, and interviews with key individuals are currently underway. He said the investigation would focus on whether the medical facility and the birth attendant were properly registered with HEFAMAA, if they adhered to approved medical practices, and if emergency protocols were followed. No further information is recorded.
SOURCE: PM News Nigeria, 4 June 2025 ; Related news: PM News Nigeria, 5 April 2025.