NGO Partners With Ondo Government to Combat Maternal Mortality

The Ondo State Government has strengthened its partnership with Jhpiego Global, an international non-profit organization, in a concerted effort to reduce maternal mortality rates and enhance health outcomes for mothers and newborns across the state.

The collaboration, which centers on the Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) project, was highlighted during a stakeholder meeting in Akure on Wednesday. Jhpiego’s President and CEO, Dr. Allyson Bear, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving maternal survival rates in Africa through innovative healthcare interventions and strategic government partnerships.

Since the initiative began in 2014, it has been piloted in Ondo and Kebbi states, focusing on training healthcare workers, ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines, and renovating facilities to create safer environments for pregnancy and childbirth.

“We are proud to bring innovative practices to places like Ondo State to support efforts to reduce maternal mortality and ensure that women thrive,” Dr. Bear stated.

Representing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the event, the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, noted that postpartum hemorrhage—excessive bleeding following childbirth—remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity globally. He emphasized that the state government is tackling this challenge through its “OUR EASE” agenda, which includes an expanded health insurance scheme.

According to Prof. Odimayo, the state has prioritized financial accessibility for vulnerable residents, specifically through the “Abiyamo” health insurance scheme, which provides free coverage for indigent women. Furthermore, the government has invested in the renovation of health facilities, the recruitment of new medical personnel, and the temporary re-engagement of retired doctors and nurses to bridge existing gaps in the healthcare workforce.

The government has also implemented a dedicated emergency response system, allowing citizens to call for immediate assistance to reach the nearest health facility during obstetric emergencies.

With postpartum hemorrhage accounting for approximately 70,000 maternal deaths annually according to the World Health Organization, both the state government and Jhpiego have pledged to continue their collaborative efforts to ensure that childbirth remains a safe experience for women throughout the region.