Health stakeholders have called for wider adoption of the World Health Organisation-approved E-Motive approach, alongside stronger investments in frontline healthcare, community awareness, and social behaviour change, to curb postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)—one of Nigeria’s leading causes of maternal mortality.
They made the call on Friday during separate interviews at the 66th National Council on Health, held in Calabar, Cross River State. The event was themed “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience, and Innovation.”
The stakeholders explained that early detection of PPH, coupled with the WHO-approved E-Motive response bundle, significantly reduces deaths from childbirth-related bleeding. The E-Motive model features a calibrated blood-collection drape for accurately measuring blood loss, enabling early identification of PPH. It also includes WHO-recommended first-response treatments such as uterine massage, oxytocic drugs, tranexamic acid, IV fluids, and a structured protocol for examination and escalation.
The Nigerian arm of the E-Motive trial was coordinated at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Population Health and Policy, Bayero University, Kano.
Nigeria continues to record one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates. The 2025 Nigeria Health Statistics Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare recorded 3,689 maternal deaths between January and September 2025. The top causes include maternal complications, cardiovascular diseases, malaria, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, sepsis, anaemia, tuberculosis, and neonatal complications.
PPH—defined as losing more than 500 mL of blood within 24 hours after delivery—affects an estimated 14 million women annually and causes about 70,000 deaths worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, according to the WHO.
Experts speak on solutions
The Country Lead of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Programme, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, said PPH remains a major threat requiring urgent frontline action. He noted that the E-Motive model is already yielding positive results in health facilities where it has been piloted.
He explained that the calibrated drape removes guesswork, helping health workers respond faster, while ongoing simulation-based training for midwives and nurses is improving emergency response confidence.
“E-Motive is truly effective. It has now been recommended by WHO as a practical and proven approach,” Adeyanju said. He noted that the initiative began under Prof. Hadiza Galadanci in Kano—one of the states with the highest maternal mortality burden.
According to him, collaborations are underway to integrate E-Motive into Social and Behavioural Change Communication programmes so that women can recognise PPH symptoms early. “That ability to recognise postpartum haemorrhage quickly and intervene immediately is what saves lives,” he said.
He added that embedding E-Motive into routine care is already helping reduce delays and save more mothers.
The Executive Director of the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, Babafunke Fagbemi, stressed the importance of strengthening public trust in health facilities. She said the government’s commitment to primary healthcare revitalisation and universal health coverage is encouraging, but maternal deaths will only drop if cultural and social barriers are dismantled.
“No woman should die from giving birth,” she said, adding that the locally produced E-Motive drape has made the approach more accessible nationwide. With proper training, she noted, health workers can significantly reduce maternal deaths caused by bleeding.
The Technical Specialist for Reproductive and Maternal Health at UNFPA Nigeria, Dr. Lordfred Achu, also highlighted PPH as the most frequent cause of maternal deaths, especially among women who deliver at home or arrive late at health facilities.
He called for strategic investments in antenatal monitoring, nutrition, skilled birth attendance, and access to life-saving medications. According to him, focused antenatal care—including monitoring haemoglobin, blood pressure, weight, and providing nutrition guidance—helps women build adequate blood reserves for childbirth.
“Money must never be placed above a woman’s life in emergencies,” he emphasised.
He added that reducing maternal deaths requires improved antenatal care, better nutrition, skilled health workers capable of identifying and managing bleeding, and ensuring vital medications are always available.
ADEOLA KUNLE
