Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has called for improved remuneration, working conditions and welfare packages for doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals, particularly those serving in rural and underserved communities.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the call at the “Unfinished” event organised by Ward-C in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where she participated in discussions on maternal health, women’s rights and reproductive choices.
The senator said tackling maternal mortality required more than statistics, stressing that attention must also be given to the realities confronting women, children and healthcare workers at the point of care.
She argued that improving the welfare of healthcare professionals should be an integral part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and retain medical workers in underserved communities.
Infrastructure needs human capital
Akpoti-Uduaghan said healthcare infrastructure could not function effectively without qualified personnel to operate and sustain it.
She questioned whether rural health facilities had sufficient staff and equipment to manage complicated pregnancies and neonatal emergencies, including premature babies requiring incubators and oxygen.
“When you want to tackle maternal mortality, either speaking from the side of your choice, or a woman who is married, has carried on her baby full term, walks into a hospital, a baby who was born premature and needs access to incubators, oxygen in villages,” she said.
The lawmaker also raised concerns about the reliability of electricity in rural communities, particularly for medical equipment that requires continuous power.
“Is there electricity? Is there enough electricity in the rural areas to sustain the incubators wherever they are?” she asked.
She stressed that providing medical equipment alone was insufficient, noting that facilities also needed qualified personnel capable of operating the equipment and providing appropriate care.
The senator also advocated stronger referral systems linking rural primary healthcare centres with general and specialist hospitals, alongside functional laboratories, adequate blood supplies, neonatal facilities, emergency transportation, electricity and water.
Senator questions rural maternal mortality data
Akpoti-Uduaghan also questioned whether existing maternal mortality statistics fully captured the experiences of women in rural communities.
“I don’t think that data is really reflective of the situation in the rural communities. It will probably double up,” she said.
She said repeated exposure to maternal deaths in some rural communities could make such tragedies appear normal, while some deaths might not be formally captured in official records.
The senator disclosed that her concerns about maternal healthcare in underserved communities had influenced her decision to build a maternity centre, stressing the need for practical interventions alongside policy discussions.
Senator speaks on reproductive choices
On reproductive choices, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her exposure to different healthcare systems and advocacy initiatives had broadened her understanding of the difficult circumstances confronting some women and girls.
She called for support systems that would provide women facing difficult pregnancy-related circumstances with access to information, counselling and appropriate assistance.
“Public spaces, you see, the health lines, people down there, sometimes government sponsored, sometimes sponsored by civil societies or charities, willing to help young girls who are confused, lost to make decisions either to abort or those who want to carry the pregnancy full term,” she said.
The senator said constructive dialogue had also challenged some of her previously held positions on reproductive choice.
“If I myself can be made to tilt from being pro-life to reasonably begin to appreciate the reason for choice, then I think I would say that I would love to support this kind of conversation,” she said.
She maintained that the welfare and future of children should remain central to discussions around pregnancy and reproductive health, adding that every child should be born into an environment where there is love and nurture.
Akpoti-Uduaghan urged stakeholders to sustain constructive conversations on maternal healthcare, women’s rights and reproductive health while increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure and the professionals responsible for delivering medical services.
