Ogun Commissions Skills Laboratory for Midwifery Students

The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA), has commissioned a state-of-the-art Skills Laboratory to aid the learning of students of midwifery in the State. 

The Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, during the commissioning the Laboratory at the School of Midwifery, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, said it was at improving the clinical experience for midwifery students in the State. 

Mrs. Abiodun said the Skills Laboratory is equipped with modern infrastructure to facilitate learning and keep the midwifery students abreast of the current trends in maternal and child health especially in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in line with global best practices. 

She said the laboratory is one of Prince Dapo Abiodun’s investment in Maternal and Child Health aimed at reducing maternal mortality in Ogun State by 25% by the end of the year 2022.

"According to a 2018 National Demographic Health Survey, there are recorded deaths of about 556 mothers in every 100, 000 live births. In Ogun State, the maternal mortality stands at 179 mothers per 100,000 live births." 

While appreciating the UNFPA for collaborating with the State Government in ensuring that the Laboratory sees the light of the day, Mrs. Abiodun expressed optimism that the Skills Laboratory will be one of the best facilities in the South-West of Nigeria.

On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said the ongoing renovation and equipping of Primary Health Centers across the State will be complemented by skilled healthcare workers that will contribute to the reduction of mortality as a result of childbirth.  

"Through our collaboration with UNFPA, we have been able to revamp the skills lab with mannequins that will simulate the real child delivery scenarios. This will help our student midwives to have the right skills for safe child delivery in line with global best practices", she said. 

The Commissioner assured that the present administration would continue to promote capacity building initiatives for health care students and workers across the State.