By Asaye Bankole
The Ondo State Government has introduced a series of measures aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality, including free Caesarean sections for eligible women and the distribution of pregnancy and delivery kits to expectant mothers.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was designed to ensure that no woman loses her life while giving birth and to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women across the state.
The governor’s position was disclosed by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Prof. Michael Gbala, who represented him at the ‘Ibi-Irorun’ Safe Delivery Sensitisation Initiative and the distribution of free pregnancy kits to expectant mothers at the hospital.
Gbala said the intervention formed part of the state government’s wider investment in maternal healthcare, with the primary objective of ensuring that mothers and their babies survive pregnancy and childbirth in good health.
He said pregnant women who require Caesarean sections at government-owned health facilities would be able to access the procedure free of charge under the intervention.
“Pregnancy should never be a death sentence. What we want to have are healthy mothers and healthy babies.
At the end of pregnancy, we want every pregnant woman to be happy for having her safe baby in her hands,” he said.
Gbala urged expectant mothers to take advantage of government healthcare facilities and attend antenatal clinics regularly, stressing that early medical attention could help prevent complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
He also disclosed that the government had invested in healthcare infrastructure, improved the welfare of medical personnel and strengthened healthcare services across the state.
According to him, the improved working conditions have contributed to reversing the migration of medical professionals from Ondo State, with doctors and nurses from neighbouring states such as Osun, Ekiti and Ogun increasingly taking up opportunities to work in Ondo.
Gbala further advised pregnant women to avoid unqualified birth attendants and instead patronise primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities where trained medical personnel are available.
He raised particular concern about complications associated with hypertension during pregnancy, warning women to take symptoms of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia seriously.
He advised women experiencing severe headaches, blurred or double vision, difficulty breathing or upper-abdominal pain to seek immediate medical attention.
The CMD also warned against self-medication, noting that early detection and appropriate treatment could prevent serious complications and save lives.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, said the ‘Ibi-Irorun’ initiative was aimed at educating pregnant women on safe motherhood while providing them with essential materials needed for hospital delivery.
She said the delivery kits were provided free of charge to pregnant women, particularly those from vulnerable households, and warned against selling the items.
“Our Governor, His Excellency, Dr Lucky
Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has made provisions for these items to be given to our pregnant women free of charge.
They must not be sold,” Osamaye said.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Kayode Kolawole, said the intervention would help reduce the financial burden associated with childbirth, especially for low-income families.
He urged beneficiaries to take the kits with them when they go to the hospital for delivery, noting that the items contained essential materials required for childbirth.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ogundayomi Ayomiposi expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for supporting pregnant women through the programme.
The sensitisation and distribution exercise had earlier been held at the Primary Comprehensive Health Centre in Arakale, Akure, where more than 500 pregnant women benefited from the free kits and maternal health education.
The state government said the initiative is part of its broader efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare, improve access to essential services and ensure safer pregnancies and deliveries for women across Ondo State.
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