Richard Edosa, a lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly, has pointed to traditional institutions and churches as key contributors to the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.
Edosa, who is also a medical doctor and represents Oredo West (LP), emphasized that a lack of medical knowledge and the prevalence of quackery are significant factors exacerbating the situation.
The lawmaker made these comments during a visit by a delegation from the National Population Commission (NPC), led by Edo federal commissioner Tony Aiyejina, to the assembly’s deputy speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, on Thursday in Benin.
The NPC delegation was in Benin to inform lawmakers about the 2024 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) program and the ongoing e-birth registration initiative aimed at reducing preventable deaths.
Edosa, who chairs the House Committee on Health, revealed that childbirth complications currently result in the daily death of 158 women in Nigeria, often due to delays caused by seeking non-medical solutions from churches and traditional practices.
“The traditional institutions and churches play a role in maternal and infant mortality. When an expectant mother is told that her baby is not well-positioned, some turn to prayers or rituals. By the time they return for medical attention, it is often too late,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed support for the NPC’s e-birth registration initiative, emphasizing the importance of accurate data to protect children aged zero to five and to enable better planning for health and development.
He assured the NPC of the House’s commitment to supporting the program, noting that data collection is vital for national progress and resource allocation.
Earlier, Tony Aiyejina, the NPC federal commissioner, explained that the e-registration program would provide free national identification numbers and birth certificates for children under five.
Although the program has been active in other states, it faced delays in Edo due to the recent governorship election but is set to run until December 31, 2024.
Aiyejina urged lawmakers to use their constituencies to raise awareness about the registration process, highlighting its importance for access to education, healthcare, and social services.
He also provided an overview of the NPC’s ongoing 2024 VASA program, which aims to investigate the root causes of deaths among children under five and women of reproductive age across Nigeria.
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