Wife of Senate President, Barrister Toyin Saraki has declared war against sepsis and poor hygiene in health centres.
During her keynote address at the International Day of the Midwife (IDM) organised by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Abuja, at the weekend, she stressed the need for proper hygiene by healthcare givers.
Mrs Saraki, who is Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives, said: “The health sector in Nigeria and around the world must implement the WHO 2017 World Health Assembly Sepsis Resolution. Hand hygiene must be a quality indicator in every facility and a national marker of health care quality, with access to soap and water monitored and assessed.
“I am declaring war on sepsis and poor hygiene in health centres, alongside midwives and nurses, I will promote hand hygiene amongst health workers and champion WASH in healthcare facilities.
“Here in Nigeria, the WHO found that 29 per cent of healthcare facilities do not have access to safe water and toilets, whilst a WaterAid survey revealed that half of primary health facilities do not have handwashing facilities in delivery rooms. Pregnant women and newborns are thereby placed in huge danger and at risk of sepsis, which is a leading cause of death in hospitals.
“As the Founder-President of the WBFA, I work with our midwives through our MamaCare and EmONC programmes to ensure that mother and baby are safe from birth through to age. Without adequate WASH facilities, however, midwives all over the world are unable to safely carry out their crucial work – and to lead the way with quality care.”
She, however, commended frontline health workers for their passion and dedication to saving lives saying,
“I commit myself to always championing your voices and your priorities and making sure that your experiences and knowledge are at the forefront as we create a better and safer health care system.”
