Maternal health equity refers to ensuring that all individuals regardless of socio-economic status, ethnicity, geographical location, abilities or other determinants of health, have access to the best maternal healthcare that is responsive to their needs.
According to the World Health Organization , universal health coverage implies that “all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need.”However, a person’s health is influenced not just by access to healthcare, but also by other Social Determinants of Health, such as where they live, work and their educational attainment.
Innovations in Technology: Technology and telemedicine continue to play an important role in improving maternal health equity, by providing pregnant women with greater access to information, healthcare services and support throughout their pregnancy journey. The dissemination of accurate maternal health information through one-to-one and group interpersonal communication sessions, as well as the distribution of low literacy social and behaviour change communication materials, has helped to raise awareness of maternal health issues in communities and improve health-seeking behaviour, empowering community members to overcome specific barriers and gain access maternal health care.
Financial Support: Providing financial resources to support maternal health programmes and initiatives improves access to quality maternal health care. Financing and Operational Revitalisation for Maternal care – FOR M, an initiative supported by MSD for Mothers with the goal of improving maternal care, reducing maternal mortality and ultimately strengthening systems for safer childbirth, seeks to provide financing for facility operations and equipment through Helium Credit, a loan facility.
Efforts to sustain these and similar programmes will not only bridge maternal health inequity gaps, but is a step towards improving our maternal health outcomes.The government efforts to provide equity can also be seen through the implementation of the National Health Insurance Authority Act and investment in human resources for health.
Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate demands urgent attention. Amid these broader health sector efforts, there is a call for increased funding and equitable investments in maternal health to complement prior and ongoing initiatives. The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, flagged off the “Feed the Hungry” initiative, committing over N1b monthly to feed the poor and vulnerable residents of the state amid the hardship and suffering occasioned by the dire economic challenges.
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