Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has expressed concern over the alleged alarming rate of maternal mortality in the country and called on the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) to step up efforts at arresting the situation.

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is the annual number of female deaths per 100,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes). It includes deaths during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, for a specified year.

Ambali, speaking Monday through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Y. M. Fakunle, when some executive members of the association visited him, said that unlike the general medical practitioners who are interested in individual patients, the Public Health Physicians are interested in the wellness of the entire society.

Leader of the team, Prof. M.C. Asuzu, said the reported 545-630 cases of mortality out of 1,000 births in both rural and urban centres was unacceptable, hence the reason for the conference’s theme.