Closing the Gap: OOUTH Official Calls for Robust Referral Networks to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Dr. Oluseun Adek, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), has issued a call for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s emergency referral systems. Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Ogun State Chapter, in Abeokuta, Dr. Adek emphasized that the country’s high rate of preventable maternal deaths is less a failure of medical expertise and more a failure of infrastructure and accessibility.

The ‘Broken Bridge’ in Healthcare

According to Dr. Adek, the primary challenge facing the Nigerian health sector is the disconnect between existing medical knowledge and the actual delivery of care to patients in need. He described this as a “broken bridge” that prevents patients from accessing life-saving interventions.

Even when tertiary institutions are equipped with specialists, blood supplies, and operating theaters, these resources remain inaccessible to those who cannot reach them in time. Dr. Adek highlighted that medical innovation should not be defined solely by academic research or high-tech equipment, but by the tangible impact these advancements have on the quality of life for ordinary citizens.

Key Pillars for Reducing Maternal Mortality

Dr. Adek outlined several critical areas that require immediate attention to curb maternal deaths:

• Functional Referral Systems: Establishing reliable communication and transportation networks to ensure patients can move from rural communities to specialized care facilities without delay.
• Early Detection: Improving the ability of community-level health workers to recognize complications early in pregnancy.
• Access to Essential Care: Ensuring that skilled health personnel are available and that patients have access to affordable generic medicines.
• Community Engagement: Leveraging religious institutions, such as mosques, as hubs for health education, routine screenings, and disease prevention.

A Call for Professional Integrity

Addressing healthcare professionals directly, Dr. Adek urged a multi-disciplinary approach to patient safety. He called on doctors to prioritize evidence-based treatment, nurses to focus on patient education, pharmacists to promote the rational use of drugs, and laboratory scientists to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of diagnostic results.

Drawing on ethical principles, he reminded practitioners that care should be dictated by clinical urgency rather than a patient’s financial status or social influence. He emphasized that healthcare is a trust that must be discharged with integrity, compassion, and accountability.

Expanding Outreach and Collaboration

Dr. Ibraheem Opeewe, Chairman of the IMAN Ogun State Chapter, echoed these sentiments, noting that the association is committed to improving healthcare quality through advocacy, training, and service delivery. He appealed for increased support to expand outreach efforts, particularly in underserved communities where the need for reliable healthcare infrastructure is most acute.

While the call for structural reform is clear, the report did not provide specific timelines or government policy commitments regarding the implementation of these proposed referral improvements.

Conclusion

The advocacy by Dr. Adek underscores a growing consensus among medical professionals that addressing maternal mortality in Nigeria requires moving beyond clinical specialization toward integrated, community-focused logistics. By strengthening the referral chain and leveraging existing community networks, healthcare providers aim to bridge the gap between medical capability and patient survival.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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