Prof. Swende decry high rate of death of pregnant women from birth complications in Benue

Professor Terrumun Swende, the Chairman of the Benue State Centre for Family and Reproductive Health Support Initiative (CFRHSI), have disclosed that 800 women out of 100,000, that give birth, lose their lives due to complications arising from pregnancy related issues and childbirths.

Professor Swende, who stated this during an interactive session with some social influencers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, disclosed that more than 246,000 unintended pregnancies could be prevented, if the targeted contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 34 per cent is achieved.

Swende, who is also the chief medical director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi noted that unsafe abortions too can be prevented if the acceptance and intake of family planning are encouraged through the creation of a dedicated budget line in this year’s budget.

“If a budget is created in this line, I assure you, Benue would prevent 63 per cent unsafe abortions compared to a scenario where there is low prevalence rate in the use of Family Planning.

“Investing in Family Planning will accelerate the rate through which the state will meet the national target and this investment will also have a broader public health impact on other reproductive, maternal and child health indicators.”

Also speaking, the secretary of the group, Laz Mum, disclosed that research has shown that over 54,000 unsafe abortions occurred in the state annually out of which 45 per cent of those involved incurred one form of complication and died.

“We have almost 3.4 million women in Benue, and for these women to stay safe and healthy to bear more children, they must engage themselves in child spacing through the use of contraceptives, to avoid going to quacks for abortion which sometimes cost them their lives.

“But as it is now, out of these number, only 40 per cent have access to contraceptives, which is just 16 per cent, which is why we are pleading with the government to rise up to this challenge and save lives.”

(Credit: Leadership Newspaper)