Wilmer, SAM Pharmaceuticals, and Ajeromi Public Health Centre recently held a community health seminar themed “Preventing and Managing Birth Complications in Our Community.” The programme brought together community members and traditional birth assistants for training and awareness.
The panel featured Ahmad Amina of Ajeromi Ifelodun Primary Health Centre; Packson Akhenamen, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at LASUTH; and Glory Chinaecherem Uzoigwe, Nutrition and Health Coach.
Akhenamen discussed danger signs to watch for in pregnant women and stressed the need for prompt referrals to hospitals to avert preventable deaths. Pharmacist Oluseyi of SAM Pharmaceuticals spoke on the dangers of counterfeit medicines in circulation and their risks to mothers and infants.
Uzoigwe’s presentation titled “Nutrition in Maternal Health: Preventing Complications Before They Arise,” she outlined the nutrition-related challenges that affect pregnancy outcomes, including anaemia, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, malnutrition, and iron deficiency. She also trained traditional birth attendants on identifying warning signs that warrant referral and introduced her “healthy plate” model as a guide for expectant mothers.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues, Uzoigwe said: “Truth is, all of the nutrition-related maternal complications are urgent, especially those that can affect both mother and child during pregnancy and the birthing process, starting from maternal anaemia, which is essentially iron deficiency. This can lead to haemorrhage, shock, infection and even maternal death.
“It’s also imperative to add that maternal malnutrition is one of the issues that needs urgent attention as well because this leads to obstructed labour due to small pelvic size, poor wound healing, and increased risk of maternal and newborn death.”
Explaining her healthy plate model, she said: “My healthy plate model emphasises variety, grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, which helps cover multiple nutrient needs (iron, folate, calcium, vitamin A, protein, omega-3).
“All of the aforementioned micro and macronutrients ensure mothers have everything they need during and after the postpartum phase, to support healthy birth weight, encourage variety, and keep energy level up.”
The seminar concluded with a special award presented to Uzoigwe in recognition of her dedication to advancing maternal health.
