The National Coordinator of Rotary Reproductive Maternal and Child Health (Rotary-RMCH), Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, has called on pregnant women, nursing mothers, and fathers to seek care from skilled birth attendants and properly equipped health facilities to reduce maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.

Lufadeju gave the charge in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during a two-day sensitisation workshop on maternal and child health, organised by Rotary-RMCH for journalists.

He warned that most maternal deaths occur because women turn to quacks and unqualified healthcare providers. “In Nigeria, the statistics are alarming. Maternal mortality stands at 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. This translates to over 700 women dying daily from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications,” he said.

Quoting World Health Organisation data, Lufadeju noted that about 5.9 million under-five deaths occur globally every year due to malnutrition, poor healthcare, and inadequate sanitation.

“As Rotarians, we are committed to reducing maternal and child mortality rates. Every mother deserves a safe journey through motherhood and every child deserves a healthy start in life. The media has the power to shape public discourse, influence policy and inspire action, which is why this training is critical,” he added.

Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, said the government had invested heavily in vaccination programmes, family planning commodities, and renovation of health facilities.

“The government believes no life should be lost in the process of any pregnant woman trying to give birth to another life,” she said, while urging the media to sustain advocacy on maternal and child health.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, Kayode Babatuyi, pledged that journalists would give strong publicity support to campaigns aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in the state.