President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said that maternal mortality rate in Nigeria had dropped by 30 per cent in the last four years. He spoke in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa at the inauguration of Otuoke Comprehensive Cottage Hospital.
The President put the nation’s current maternal rate at 350 deaths per 100,000 as against 500 deaths per 100,000 women recorded in 2008. “Let me use this unique opportunity to tell Nigerians that as a government, we are working extremely hard to meet the set target of the MDGs.
“As at 2008, we had 500 deaths out of every 100,000 women that give birth to children. But as at now, we have reduced that to 350. The target for the MDGs is 250 and God willing, before the end of 2015, we will get there,?? Jonathan said.
The President stated that his administration would not relent in its efforts at attaining the MDGs target of 250 per 100,000 women by 2015. He restated his commitment to the MDGs, especially in the health sector, assuring that all hands were on deck to ensure that the nation achieved the set targets by 2015.
“I recall that the construction of this model hospital began in 2006 as an initiative of the Bayelsa State Government. It was later taken over by the MDGs office in collaboration with the state government.”
He said it was most gratifying for him to come and witness the completion and inauguration. “This has been made possible by the hard work, diligence and perseverance of all the stakeholders.”
