'Step up efforts to improve maternal health'
African countries need to step up efforts to improve maternal health, Nollywood actress, Mrs Stephanie Okereke Linus, has said.
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Mrs Linus, who is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Maternal Health Ambassador for West and Central Africa, said although efforts were being made by various governments across the continent to curb maternal mortality, the efforts were not enough.
“African countries need to implement systems and strengthen efforts towards realising the maternal mortality target as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG),” she said.
Event
Mrs Linus made the observation at a press conference in Accra last Friday.
The filmmaker and awardwinning actress is on a two–day visit to Ghana to advocate improved maternal health in the country.
She is expected to meet the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Curious Minds and also attend a Glitz Fashion Awards programme on today, August 19, 2017.
And as part of efforts to create awareness of maternal health, Mrs Linus came up with a movie titled, ‘Dry,’ in 2014.
The film's theme focuses on Vesicovaginal Fistula condition and under age marriage among young women. It narrates the story of a 13-yearold girl whose poor, uneducated, parents marry her off to a 60- year-old man, who constantly rapes her.
Technology
The actress further noted that with the advent of technology in the 21st century, no woman should die while giving life or have complications in giving birth.
She, therefore, called for concerted efforts at creating awareness of the disease and instituting measures to tackle maternal health.
Mrs Linus also expressed her determination in the use of creative arts in educating women on maternal health issues.
While urging the government to ensure that health facilities, tools and equipment were available and accessible, she advised pregnant women to go for their regular antenatal check-ups.
The actress urged the media to always hold leadership accountable for their promises on maternal health.
A UNFPA representative, Mr Niyi Ojuolape, said the organisation would continue to support stakeholders and the government to ensure positive change and a realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He further indicated that the UNFPA was committed to delivering a world where every pregnancy was wanted, every childbirth was safe, and every young person's potential was fulfilled.