303,000
A report released on Monday has revealed that even though it is well known that maternal deaths rate is high, the numbers are still under reported. Every maternal death should be counted and recorded, not assumed or estimated. According to the UN global estimates, about 303,000 women die from childbirth or pregnancy complications. Nigeria and India unfortunately accounts for one-third of this number. This means that one out of seven deaths in Africa occurs in Nigeria.
The UN also reports that 95% of these deaths come from preventable causes. This report was based on an 18 months survey carried out in 6 states across the country. Some of the preventable deaths happen due to reasons like prolonged labour, postpartum haemorrhage, infection with fever and poverty. The report recommends better data collection and a better health system to reduce the maternal death rate in Nigeria. Pregnancy is not a disease;and as such should not lead to death.
2.8 Million
Still on health news, a report by the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has shown that over 15% of AIDS related deaths in adolescents and children globally occur in Nigeria alone. This report was released to mark the 2020 World AIDS Day. According to this report, there are 2.8 million children living with HIV worldwide. In 2019, about 22,000 children 14 and under were infected by HIV. Even with the alarming rate of children getting infected by HIV, the treatment of children still remains embarrassingly low amongst key affected demographics. While the health coverage for mothers with HIV stands at 85%, all adults stands at 65%, the coverage on adolescents and children remains at 50%. The COVID-19 pandemic is making the situation worse as the health sector has all but forgotten the sickness.
20
A convention held by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday in old parade ground Abuja turned rocky to say the least when gunshots came raining down. At least 20 people were reportedly injured in the shootout. The convention was held in order to elect a new set of leaders for NANS. Eyewitnesses reported that thugs hired by a factional coordinator of the Southwest Zone swooped in and started attacking delegates suddenly. These thugs has guns and machetes, in a matter of seconds, everyone including the DSS ran away.