Vanguard, THURSD AY, OCTOBER 4, 2012 — 49 THURSDA
Childbirth: Save a woman’s life with N20,000 BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
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VEN as you read this, some where in Nigeria, a woman is dying while giving birth. But with just N20,000, her life could have been saved. Before the day is over, 145 women would have died attempting to give life. With N20,000 made available for each of these women, they would have access to a reputable hospital, manned by a qualified medical doctor, nurse and midwife, and their chances of surviving the ordeal of childbirth would be more realistic. The N20,000 per woman initiative is the key strategy of an initiative dubbed the “Rural Help Maternity Project” – aimed at enabling pregnant women in rural settings have access to proper medical care and services as a way of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity and help meet the Millennium Development Goal 5. The initiative is brainchild of an experienced medical doctor, Dr. Uchendu Alaefula, popularly known as “Dr. Nothing dey Happen”. According to him, the project visualizes a community where women deliver their baby safely and healthily, thereby reducing the rate of maternal mortality and child death. The project is designed to reduce death of women while giving birth. One of the most common reasons for women dying in childbirth is poverty. Most of the pregnant women who die everyday
•A midwife taking history from a pregnant mother at an antenatal clinic. Photo courtesy PBL
in Nigeria are poverty-stricken. They reside in the rural areas where there is little or no access to adequate healthcare services. Data shows that 14 percent of the world’s deaths related to childbearing are in Nigeria. At least 80 per cent of the 52,000 women who die in Nigeria are from the rural communities. Yet the nation is aiming to cut the maternal death rate in half by 2015 in line with target of the MDG 5. Efforts have been on to drive home the message that women’s lives can be saved when their babies are born in hospitals. One of the most recent initiatives aimed at nipping in the bud the
trend of poverty fueling maternal deaths in the rural communities, is the Rural Help Maternity Project. Alaefula, who is Executive Director of the programme, describes the Rural Help Maternity Project as being solely about helping poor rural pregnant woman to have access to quality medical care from antenatal day till delivery. Essentially, the aim is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and help meet the MDG 5. “It is only poverty that will make a woman patronize unregistered TBAs amongst others. Many of these women come down array
of disabilities and illnesses that result from complications of pregnancy, labour/delivery and up to the immediate six weeks after delivery” Alaefula remarked that women should not die giving birth, hence the introduction of the project. Components of the Rural Help Maternity Project comprises free antenatal care covering registration, drugs, treatment, laboratory tests, pelvic scan and normal delivery. Others are free male circumcision, immunisation and mosquito bed nets. “The project is enormous,” he told Vanguard in an interview. “We are achieving good coordi-
nation. First, we identify rural communities where there are very poor people who are used to delivering their babies in places such as churches, mosques, chemist shop, traditional homes, etc. The idea is to relate with village heads and traditional leaders to help pick the indigent pregnant women who need our support. “ Second, we identify a reputable hospital, manned by a qualified medical doctor, nurse and midwife, and who is located around that rural community or possibly, the nearest General Hospital. Third, we negotiate and pay a sum of N20,000 per pregnant woman for the hospital to take care of all expenses mentioned above.” Monitoring the project is straightforward. Ten women are picked from each community where the payment is done at the nearest hospital. The doctor provides the appropriate medical report for each patient before and after delivery. Each beneficiary enters the programme at the 5th month of pregnancy on confirmation by a certified pelvic scan. “We know there are several individuals and organizations who are interested in contributing to such a worthy project for their social corporate responsibility. They can be part of this project which is a worthy humanitarian service. It is just N20,000 per woman. Even if every individual donates N500, it would make a difference.
COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)
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OOD afternoon. My girlfriend and I have been together for two years. She is a really nice and generous woman and I will like to marry her. But I recently discovered that she has a five year old son. Since then, I am not sure how I feel about the marriage and I don’t know what to do – Kanayo Dear Kanayo, being a single mother is not the same as having a deadly virus. You will be shocked to know the percentage of children all over the world that were conceived out of wedlock, before their parents even thought of marriage. Every now and then sexually active women get pregnant unexpectedly. But very few of them have the courage to keep the pregnancy because it is a difficult decision with a lot of consequences. As a result, lots of babies get aborted every day all around the world. But once in a while, you find a woman who has the courage to make the difficult decision of keeping her baby. Single mothers who had that courage to face the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy should be supported and not treated like inferior citizens. So if you love this woman that you want to marry and she is as wonderful as you say she is, there is nothing stopping you. I imagine your parents and relatives may not be thrilled with your decision but it is your life and relationship, not theirs. You are an adult and the decision is yours. Who knows, this son of hers could grow up to become a really important historical figure like Nelson Mandela and when that happens, I am sure you will be proud of him and be glad to call him your son. Always think about the bigger picture when faced with a difficult decision. Sometimes, life does not go exactly as we plan, but it doesn’t mean that the unexpected cannot become a good thing. Take care my friend. You have my support – Uche I have a penis like a five year old. Is there any kind of enlargement that can help? Samuel
Samuel, that will be difficult. If you take the usual enlargement supplements, the results will be little because of how small you are. The best thing for you will be to wear a penis sleeve during intercourse. The Mega Stretch Penis Extension Sleeve will make you look bigger and two inches longer. It also helps prevent premature ejaculation – Uche I am interested in organ enlargement but I cannot wait for months before I see a result. I need something that works fast – Benjamin Benjamin try Size Rx penis enlargement cream. It gives instant results that last for up to 24 hours – Uche I am interested in that vibrator that you can increase the size. I also need something to help me with arousal and dryness. Thanks – Esther Esther that is a very rare dildo but we have it. It is called the Inflatable Stud. For your arousal, you can get the new 69 Slick Licks Nipple and Clit arousal gel. It is a good orgasm gel that helps stop vaginal dryness. It is also flavoured so is perfect for oral sex – Uche Is there anything you know that can stop sagging breasts? Vicky There is a cream for women called Max Firmer Breast Cream. It smoothens and lifts sagging breasts so you can give that a try – Uche I suffer from weak erection and I will like to try some of these cures you talk about but I am diabetic – Nonso There is a new sexual health supplement called Libigrow. It gives very strong erections, improves stamina, helps with premature ejaculation and can be taken by diabetic people. Libigrow will be best for you– Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media..