Experts Urge Early Antenatal Care to Save Lives

At the 2nd International Congress of Ultrasound and Perinatal Medicine organized by the African Perinatal Society (APS) in Kano, experts in maternal and perinatal medicine called for enhanced antenatal care services and early pregnancy registration to mitigate maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria and Africa. The congress, led by APS President Prof. Aliu Labaran Tayebu, aimed to explore strategies for reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Tayebu, a consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist and lecturer at Bayero University Kano, noted that the society was established in Nigeria in 2016 and that the current congress focused on improving care quality for pregnant women and newborns. International experts, including Professor Beverly Stofanovich from Finland, identified late antenatal care registration as a significant barrier to reducing maternal deaths.

Stofanovich emphasized the need for early attendance to implement preventive measures for high-risk pregnancies. The congress also resulted in donations of medical equipment and plans for future training programs for healthcare workers.