NAS Medical Mission Marks World Health Day with Maternal Health Advocacy in Benue

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

In observance of World Health Day 2025, the NAS Medical Mission – Rima Deck organized a maternal health advocacy campaign on Monday at the Family Support Programme (FSP) Hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, focusing on the theme: “Strengthening Maternal Health Systems for a Healthier Future: A Call to Action.”

The initiative, part of the global observance of World Health Day themed around Maternal and Child Health, brought together healthcare professionals, expectant mothers, community members, and volunteers to promote safer maternal health practices and address systemic gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.

Organized under the auspices of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrate Confraternity), the campaign featured a keynote presentation by medical expert Dr. Martins Tersoo Chuwan, who delivered a detailed overview of the maternal health cycle, spanning from pregnancy to postnatal care.

“Improving maternal outcomes starts with education and early engagement,” Dr. Chuwan told the gathering. “Regular antenatal care, timely access to skilled birth attendants, and awareness of danger signs like excessive bleeding or elevated blood pressure are essential in preventing maternal mortality.”

He emphasized the need for age-appropriate pregnancies between 18 and 30 years, spacing births adequately, and increasing awareness among men to support maternal health journeys. “Maternal health is not the woman’s burden alone. It is a shared responsibility of the family, the community, and the state,” he said.

Dr. Chuwan also used the platform to highlight persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector—chief among them, equipment deficits and staffing shortages, especially in rural areas. He urged state and federal policymakers to prioritize maternal healthcare investments and expand infrastructure to reduce the burden on overworked health workers.

“World Health Day provides a moment for introspection and action,” he added. “We must strengthen our health systems now if we hope to secure a healthier future for our children.”

The project coordinator, Mr. Dooyum Dominic Ingye, in his opening remarks, reiterated NAS Medical Mission’s commitment to combining health advocacy with practical community support. “This is not a one-off initiative,” he said. “It is part of our broader vision to ensure that even underserved communities benefit from quality health education and humanitarian assistance.”

Participants at the event, which included 32 pregnant women and nursing mothers, 11 male guardians, 8 hospital staff, and 7 children, welcomed the initiative. Midwives and nurses at FSP Hospital praised the session as both timely and practical.

“It opened our eyes to some practices we had overlooked. We will definitely improve on patient education and antenatal counseling,” said Mrs. Rebecca Aondohemba, a senior midwife at the facility.

In closing, the NAS Medical Mission donated essential maternal health items, including cleaning detergents, disinfectants, and dustbin liners, reinforcing its commitment to hygiene and sustainable health practices in healthcare environments.