Complex birth: Nigeria reaffirms commitment to maternal and newborn care

Complex birth: Nigeria reaffirms commitment to maternal and newborn care

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maternal and neonatal health services across Nigeria following a successfully managed complex birth at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The birth involved a set of quadruplets born to Mrs Mufiat Olateju, who was referred to the tertiary healthcare facility while she was already in labour. The hospital’s medical teams responded quickly to the high-risk situation and successfully managed the birth, stabilizing both the mother and newborns.

The Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, after receiving a briefing on the situation, charged the management of FMC Abeokuta to ensure that the mother and children receive comprehensive medical care, monitoring and support to safeguard their well-being.

In line with this directive, the hospital initiated appropriate medical care for the mother and newborns, while providing counseling and psychosocial support to the family.

The Ministry commended the professionalism of the medical team at FMC Abeokuta for its timely and coordinated response in managing the birth, stressing that multiple births, such as quadruplets, are medically challenging and require specialized care and monitoring.

The Ministry also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of early and consistent antenatal care for all pregnant women. “Regular prenatal visits allow health care providers to detect and manage potential complications early, improve pregnancy outcomes, and ensure safer births for both mothers and babies.” Dr. Salako emphasized.

Health experts point out that cases like this highlight the critical importance of early prenatal registration and routine pregnancy monitoring, which help health workers detect multiple pregnancies early and plan safer births for both mothers and babies.

“Pregnant women are therefore encouraged to register timely for antenatal care at recognized health facilities and to maintain regular contact with qualified health professionals throughout their pregnancy.” He advised.

The Ministry also noted that postpartum counseling, including voluntary family planning services, remains an important component of maternal health care, helping families make informed decisions about birth spacing and the family’s overall well-being.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare remains committed to strengthening maternal, newborn and child health services nationwide through improving health systems, skilled health workers and expanding access to quality care at all levels of the health sector.

The Ministry continues to expand access to maternal and newborn care services across Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths.