NMA to reduce  maternal, infant mortality

Emmanuel Job, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Monday, 25 August 2025, said the association would reduce the  rate of maternal and child mortality ratio in the state.

Speaking on the side-lines of the 2025 Annual General Meeting & Scientific Conference Dinner Night held in Uyo at the weekend, the state chairman of the association, Dr Anìekan Peters, said the highlight of the AGM was on reduction of maternity and child mortality rate and the welfare of medical doctors in the state.

Peter said that the theme of the AGM was, “Securing the Future of Medical Practice in Nigeria, Prioritising Welfare and Policy Reforms.”

He added that death  incidents of women  during child birth in the and welfare of medical doctors in both private and government hospitals, were also reviewed.

“The key elements of this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was reduction of maternal and child mortality in the state.

“We felt that no woman should die because she wants to bring life. So, we started moving around churches, preaching the message of reducing mortality in our health system.

“We implore people to join the health insurance of the state. We also sensitise the people on availability of Ambulance Services for  women who wants to deliver at night or at anytime; they should call the phone numbers for ambulance service that will convey them to hospital.”

Peter noted that many people did not know that such medical service was available for pregnant women in the state.

According to him, doctors would sensitise women in  their churches on how to use the ambulance service in all the 31 local government areas.

He said, “We realise from all the churches that the awareness of the ambulance service was very low.

“Therefore, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has partnered with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, to move around all churches throughout the 31local government areas for the sensitisation.

“With time we will send doctors who are also in the local government areas for the exercise.”

On the welfare of medical doctors in Akwa Ibom State, the NMA chairman appealed to pastor Umo Eno to  give 100 per cent salary increment to inspire doctors in the task ahead.

He said Akwa Ibom State was known in the past administration  of Godswill  Akpabio for giving cars to medical doctors but such benefits were no more in he state.

“Akwa Ibom State government gave cars to medical doctors when Akpabio was the governor, but such incentives are no more.

“We appeal to governor Umo Eno to bring back those days, especially now that he has joined the same party with the Senate President,” he said.

The NMA chairman also appealed to the state government to set up committee to review salary of doctors at Ibom Specialist Hospital or face industrial action.

“Akwa Ibom State government should set up committee to harmonise salary of doctors at Ibom Specialist Hospital urgently.

“We will soon issue an ultimatum to government over poor conditions of service and salary of doctors at Ibom Specialist Hospital.

“The same thing with St Luke Hospital  Annua managed by the Catholic Church. If the church cannot manage the hospital, they can  handover to government,” he said.