The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board has officially inaugurated the Community Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance Response (CMPDSR) program at an event held at Aquila Events Hall in Ikorodu.
The significant program aims to reduce preventable maternal and perinatal deaths through systematic data collection and analysis, ensuring targeted interventions across the community.
Health experts and stakeholders from across the Ikorodu division gathered to discuss the CMPDSR program’s objectives and its importance in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The event marked a significant step towards improving maternal and perinatal health in Ikorodu, setting a precedent for other regions in Lagos State to follow.
Mrs. Veronica Iwayemi, a key speaker at the event, emphasized the need for community collaboration in advocating for and spreading awareness about the CMPDSR initiative.
“With the inauguration of CMPDSR in Ikorodu, we expect to synergize with communities on effective advocacy and awareness creation,” said Mrs. Iwayemi.
She highlighted plans to establish the CMPDSR initiative across the 30 wards in Ikorodu division and train committee members on conducting verbal autopsies.
“Collected data will be analyzed and submitted to health districts, which will then forward it to the state to assess maternal pregnancy outcomes,” she added.
Mr. Jemilade Longe, representing the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Nigeria, commended Hon. Wasiu Adesina for his proactive support of the Community Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance Response (CMPDSR) program.
In his role as a consultant for CMPDSR, Mr. Longe underscored the initiative’s goal to reduce maternal and perinatal deaths through systematic identification, reporting, and analysis, thereby enabling the implementation of preventive measures.
“The CMPDSR initiative, launched in Ikorodu, will prioritize interventions at the local level”.
“This includes task assignment, establishing timelines, and conducting follow-ups to ensure comprehensive implementation,” he explained.
Mr Amodu Razaq, representing the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Kayode Robert, underscored the program’s critical role in addressing maternal and perinatal mortality.
“Data speaks volumes,” he stated.
“In Nigeria, 145 women of reproductive age die daily from preventable causes, which is equivalent to a fully loaded plane crashing every day”.
“These stark realities underscore the urgency of our mission.”
He elaborated on the CMPDSR program’s goals, including guiding decision-making at both community and state levels, identifying health system barriers, and inspiring local solutions to prevent future deaths.
“This initiative is a lifeline for our communities”.
“By tracking and monitoring maternal and newborn deaths, we gain insights into the determinants of health specific to each ward,” Mr Razaq said.
The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, praised the program’s potential to save lives and commended the organizers for raising community awareness on the importance of data collection to address maternal and perinatal mortality.
He also thanked the Lagos State Government and the Clinton Health Access Initiative for selecting Ikorodu as the starting point for the laudable endeavour.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Razaq called on stakeholders and community members to actively participate in the CMPDSR initiative.
“Together, we will forge a path toward preventing avoidable deaths and honour the lives of our mothers and newborns,” he concluded.
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