A former health minister, Isaac Adewole, says Nigeria still bears the shame of having one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

Speaking in Ibadan on Wednesday, Mr Adewole urged the government to adopt more child delivery funding schemes to address preventable maternal deaths.

He suggested that the government should subsidise childbirth and even make deliveries free, but with a cap.

He said, “We need to prevent women from dying. Many women die because they give birth to us, which is unfair.

“We can make delivery free, perhaps limited to four births as prescribed by the national population policy. Government can also support free family planning.”

He stressed that Nigerians must access hospitals and enjoy free healthcare, particularly primary healthcare.

The former University of Ibadan vice-chancellor commended the federal government for reducing kidney dialysis costs from N50,000 to N12,000 in selected public hospitals.

He urged the government to cushion the fuel subsidy removal by diverting significant funds from subsidy savings into health and education while expanding social safety nets.

“About 80 per cent of complaints, such as malaria, diarrhoea and vomiting, should be treated free. Education, especially primary, secondary, and vocational, should also be free,” he said.

Mr Adewole advised Nigerians to go for regular check-ups, stressing that some illnesses, including cancer, are easier to treat when detected early.

“Cervical cancer is caused by a virus. It can be prevented by taking an available vaccine,” he explained.

He noted that there is a global agenda to eliminate cervical cancer, and he chairs Nigeria’s National Task Force on Elimination of Cervical Cancer.

“We can prevent those already infected with the virus from developing cancer through screening. The government is working on this. NHIS allows free screening,” he said.

Commenting on the “Japa” syndrome among health workers, Mr Adewole noted that exchange rates have made migration more attractive for many medical professionals.

“The situation should be seen as a pull-and-push system. Some workers dislike conditions at home, while others seek better opportunities abroad,” he explained.

Mr Adewole served as health minister from November 2015 to May 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

(NAN)