Lagos: Some medical experts have advocated for a comprehensive national audit of maternal deaths, emphasizing the critical role of autopsies in understanding and reducing mortality rates across Nigeria. Speaking on the sidelines of a media chat in Lagos, the medical researchers stressed the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to investigating maternal mortality, which currently remains a significant public health challenge.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. John Obafunwa, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), stated that every sudden, unexpected maternal death qualifies for an autopsy. He highlighted the inadequacies in current data collection methods, which fail to capture the full spectrum of maternal health challenges. Obafunwa, also a Specialist Forensic Pathologist, advocated for the national audit of maternal deaths to extend beyond tertiary medical centers and incorporate data from secondary and primary healthcare facilities, including local midwives and traditional birth attendants.
Prof. Oliver Ezechi, a Director of Research at NIMR, underscored the necessity of implementing a national maternal mortality audit that includes comprehensive autopsy investigations to address Nigeria’s high maternal death rates. He pointed out that most maternal deaths are sudden and unexpected, making them prime candidates for thorough pathological examination. Ezechi emphasized the need for a multi-disciplinary approach and suggested that the proposed national audit should focus on the three leading global causes of maternal deaths: bleeding, hypertension, and infections.
However, Ezechi argued that simply identifying these causes was insufficient, advocating for a deeper, more systematic investigation. He recommended mandatory reporting of all maternal deaths, a ‘no-blame’ review process, and multi-disciplinary investigations involving pathologists, obstetricians, and healthcare professionals. A comprehensive autopsy protocol to establish precise causes of death is deemed essential.
Ezechi recalled historical medical practices in the country where every maternal death required a detailed explanation, suggesting a return to more rigorous medical accountability. The initiative aims to create a robust healthcare framework to effectively track, analyze, and ultimately reduce maternal mortality rates in Nigeria. By establishing a national audit system, healthcare professionals hope to not only understand the root causes of maternal mortality but also develop targeted interventions to prevent future deaths.
He asserted that adopting this approach would be a critical step toward improving maternal healthcare and reducing mortality rates across Nigeria. Ezechi identified bleeding, hypertension, and infections as the primary causes of maternal mortality, highlighting the need for more in-depth research and systematic data collection. He urged government and private sector support to be crucial in implementing this comprehensive approach to maternal healthcare monitoring and improvement.