Universal Health Coverage, government’s primary responsibility, says Mimiko

Urges Prioritization Of Maternal And Child Health
Former governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said political will and public financing is key to attaining the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

He said the utmost goal and primary responsibility of any government is to cater for the health of its citizens, which contributes to the economic development of the country, particularly the health of women and children, which records the highest number of deaths annually.

Mimiko, who made the assertion yesterday at the maiden General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Feto-maternal Medicine Specialists of Nigeria (AFEMSON), held at the Medical Research Centre Hall of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), with the theme: “Reducing Maternal and Perinatal Mortality: A Collective Responsibility”, said maternal and child mortality which has continued to increase on a daily basis is a shared responsibility for everyone.

It is also in line with the Global Strategy for Women, Children and Adolescent Health (2016-2030) which specifically prescribes “a multi-sector approach”, adding that all hands must be on deck, particularly the Government, political leaders, health care providers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations, Professional Associations, Researchers, Nutritionist, Climate change experts and enthusiast, among others who must be actively involved.

Mimiko said he is “working with other stakeholders and has put in place processes that have proved that even in resources challenged settings like ours, we can post reasonable outcomes in maternal and perinatal death reduction.”

President of AFEMSON, Prof. O. Kuti, said the high rate of maternal and neonatal death in Nigeria has become worrisome, which has called for immediate intervention to reduce the menace. He said the association, formed in 2011 by concerned Obstetricians to address and find solutions to the unacceptable high maternal and perinatal deaths, has partnered with other professional bodies to achieving this goal, adding that Nigeria was among the 26 countries in the world that has made no progress in reducing these deaths, with a total of 58, 000 deaths recorded since 2015.