LAGOS – Dr Donald Imosemi, the Medical Director of Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, on Wednesday said the hospital recorded 50 avoidable maternal deaths in 2014.
Imosemi, who is also a member of the Lagos State Maternal Death Review Steering Committee, made
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the deaths would have been averted if the hospital was equipped with the Obstetric Intensive Care Units (ICU).
Imosemi said that there was an urgent need to set up ICU in the hospital to cater for extremely ill obstetric patients and reduce the rate of maternal deaths.
“Although, the number of maternal deaths recorded in the hospital has significantly reduced with new technologies and equipment; we can still do more to ensure that such deaths are prevented.
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“ A dedicated obstetric ICU can ensure that there is no delay in patient management and intensive care can be instituted at the earliest time to save mortality.
“We appeal to the Lagos State Government to set up and procure equipment for our proposed ICU as this is our major agenda for 2015, “ he said.
Imosemi also said that the sewage system and internal plumbing required a complete overhauling to address a looming public health problem.
He said that the hospital recorded a total deliveries of 2, 890 in 2014, with 1, 349 cesarean sections and 1, 541 vaginal deliveries.
“Overall, in 2014, despite the hiccups occasioned by industrial strike and Ebola epidemic, our hospital recorded a total attendance of 74, 733.
“This is a little lower than 81, 605 which we recorded in 2013, “ he said.
Imosemi urged health care providers to be committed in their various primary assignments geared towards reducing Maternal Deaths in their various health care facilities. (NAN)