As Nigeria continues to grapple with alarming rates of maternal and child deaths, the ARIELI Foundation for Maternal and Child Health has intensified its advocacy, calling for a united national response to end preventable loss of lives among women and children.
The call was made in Abuja by the Founder of the Foundation, Dr. Natasha Oyibo, during an anniversary health walk organised to spotlight the growing incidence of deaths related to childbirth and preventable childhood illnesses.
Dr. Oyibo said the initiative was designed not only to commemorate the Foundation’s anniversary but also to mobilise public support and action against maternal and child mortality, which she described as largely avoidable.
According to her, the campaign aims to transform awareness into a sustained movement that rejects the continued loss of women during childbirth and children to diseases that can be prevented or treated.
She emphasised that early and regular antenatal care, proper hygiene and good nutrition are critical to safe pregnancies, urging expectant mothers to promptly register at nearby health facilities once pregnancy is confirmed.
Dr. Oyibo also stressed that pregnancy should not be treated casually, noting that support from families and communities is essential to ensuring the wellbeing of pregnant women.
She identified ignorance, poor health-seeking behaviour and failure to utilise healthcare facilities as key drivers of maternal and child mortality, adding that many women mistakenly believe that all pregnancies progress without complications. 
Calling for broader stakeholder engagement, Dr. Oyibo advocated increased community sensitisation and stronger partnerships between government, non-governmental organisations and grassroots actors to address the challenge.
She noted that Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate requires collective effort, insisting that the burden cannot be placed on government alone, but must involve communities, civil society organisations and individuals.
The ARIELI Foundation founder further urged governments at all levels to deepen collaboration with NGOs, particularly to strengthen primary healthcare delivery, equip health centres and increase funding for hospitals closest to the people.
She added that in areas where access to conventional healthcare remains limited, properly trained and supervised traditional midwives and community gatekeepers can complement efforts by guiding pregnant women to appropriate care. 
Dr. Oyibo expressed optimism that sustained advocacy, partnerships and shared responsibility would significantly reduce maternal and child deaths and improve health outcomes for women and children nationwide.
Also speaking, a stakeholder and supporter of the Foundation, Mr. Emanuel Iroh, described awareness as a powerful tool in the fight against maternal and child mortality, especially in underserved communities.
Mr. Iroh said ignorance continues to undermine efforts to curb preventable deaths, noting that many rural women still depend on untrained traditional birth attendants due to limited access to healthcare facilities.
He explained that the ARIELI Foundation has expanded its outreach beyond urban centres to rural communities within the Federal Capital Territory to address these gaps.
Mr. Iroh also called on men to play more active roles in supporting women throughout pregnancy and childbirth, stressing that saving the lives of mothers and children requires shared responsibility, community involvement and strong government collaboration.
The event featured a health walk from Jabi Lake to Life Camp Junction, drawing over 500 women and young girls in a show of solidarity against maternal and child mortality.
LV