RismadarVoice Reporters, July 4, 2026
A Professor of Reproductive Health, Rosemary Ogu, has identified the lack of safe blood, essential drugs and other critical medical commodities as major factors contributing to maternal deaths during childbirth.
Professor Ogu made the remarks after delivering the 216th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt titled, “Sweet Mother: From Perils to Power.”
RISMADARVOICE gathered that the professor, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), stressed that maternal deaths are largely preventable with timely access to quality health care, emphasised the importance of emergency obstetric care, urging government to expand existing interventions so that quality maternal healthcare becomes accessible to all women.
Professor Ogu also called on communities to encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
She further advised residents of Rivers State to enrol in the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) to benefit from free and subsidised healthcare services.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of RIVCHPP, Dr Vetty Agala, said the agency provided free medical services and sensitised participants on the benefits of the state’s health insurance programme during the inaugural lecture.
