Youth in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed concern over an alleged increase in maternal deaths, attributing the situation to the poor state of healthcare facilities in the area.
Speaking to our correspondent, Ufuoma Kokogho, the youths said the lack of functional medical infrastructure is endangering the lives of pregnant women in the communities.
In separate interviews, Sokari Joel, Bertha Moseph, and Fubara Imaereke Baribote alleged that some women now avoid or conceal pregnancies, while others reportedly terminate pregnancies out of fear of dying during childbirth.
They further claimed that the only general hospital in the area has been abandoned for years, adding that only the mortuary section is currently in use.
The youths also expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of death-related businesses, including casket shops and private mortuaries, springing up in the area.
They criticised an award reportedly given to the lawmaker representing Abua/Odual, John Iderima, describing it as inappropriate in view of the prevailing conditions.
The youths called on the Rivers State Government and their representative to urgently intervene and address the worsening healthcare challenges in the local government area.
