BirthSafe to train 200 nurses in Lagos to reduce maternal mortality

Idara Umoette, a medical doctor and founder of BirthSafe Nigeria, says the organisation is set to train 200 nurses in Lagos as part of its efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday ahead of the launch of the ‘Train One, Reach Many’ (TORM) campaign, Umoette said the programme is designed to equip nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to act swiftly.

She noted that while proactive care like antenatal services is essential, many pregnant women still die due to delayed or inadequate response during emergencies.

“We sat and thought — in addition to being proactive, is there something we can do to strengthen the reactive care that pregnant women receive?” Umoette said.

“We discovered that in emergencies, the first responders are almost always the nurses at the community and hospital levels. If these nurses are well-equipped with the right information and training, there’s a higher chance of saving the lives of women and their babies.”

Umoette said the initiative will begin in Lagos on July 2 and 3, with plans to expand to other states in the coming months.

She described Lagos as a hub of innovation and a natural starting point for such a campaign.

She added that the campaign ultimately aims to reduce the number of women and babies who either die or suffer long-term complications due to poorly managed emergencies.

“Lagos embraces innovation. It accepts things that drive human betterment and empowerment,” she said.

“We want fewer stories of women dying in labour, fewer babies born with disabilities, and more families saved from avoidable loss.”

Also speaking at the event, Mercy Agbagwa, founder of Jidem Breast Pump, said maternal mortality remains a pressing national crisis, citing a maternal mortality rate of 413 deaths per 100,000 live births in Nigeria.

Agbagwa noted the importance of advocacy and timely intervention, while highlighting the role of breast pumps in reducing postpartum hemorrhage.

“Maternal mortality is a serious problem in our country, and our focus is the wellbeing of women and children,” she said.

“Nurses often see patients first before complications escalate. If they know what to do, how to do it, and when to act, many women’s lives can be saved before further help arrives.

“Breast pumps help stimulate the uterus to contract after childbirth, reducing the risk of excessive bleeding. It’s only natural that we use such tools as part of our efforts to prevent maternal deaths.”