Women advocates reach 38,000 in Lagos, Oyo with maternal health campaign

The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) says it has reached more than 38,000 people across over 170 communities in Lagos and Oyo states, through awareness and community engagement activities under its 11-month TRANSFORM Project aimed at preventing maternal deaths, particularly those caused by postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

The initiative, implemented under the TRANSFORM Project, focuses on raising awareness about PPH, the appropriate clinical use of tranexamic acid (TXA), birth preparedness and women’s rights to quality maternal healthcare.

PPH, which involves excessive bleeding after childbirth, is a major obstetric emergency that can rapidly become life-threatening if not recognised and treated promptly.

WARDC said its campaign on TXA was not intended to promote self-medication, but to ensure that women, families, healthcare workers and community stakeholders understand the dangers of PPH, the role of TXA in its clinical management and the need to seek urgent medical attention when complications arise.

WARDC Executive Chair, Prof. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, expressed satisfaction with the work of field officers across various clusters in Lagos State. She called for greater publicity of the project’s success stories, stressing that sustained public awareness and media engagement were critical to preventing avoidable maternal deaths.

She urged journalists to move beyond reporting statistics and isolated cases of maternal deaths, and instead investigate the experiences of affected women and families, barriers to accessing healthcare and the responsibilities of relevant institutions.

According to her, stronger and sustained media coverage would help keep maternal health on the public agenda while promoting accountability among communities, healthcare facilities, government institutions and other stakeholders.

Field officers from different clusters also shared experiences from the communities, highlighting the impact of the campaign and challenges encountered in reaching residents.

They called for additional support to expand the programme and deepen awareness, particularly among women and vulnerable groups.

The project has engaged women and youth groups, traditional and religious leaders, healthcare workers and other community stakeholders through sensitisation meetings, community dialogues and town-hall sessions.

WARDC said the community-based approach was designed to ensure that information on maternal health reached people at the grassroots and encouraged communities to take greater responsibility for preventing avoidable maternal deaths.

The organisation said evidence gathered from the communities—including testimonies, monitoring findings and issues raised during media and public discussions—would be used to strengthen its advocacy and engagement with policymakers and health-sector authorities.