By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving maternal and newborn healthcare services across the country following the successful delivery of a set of quadruplets at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the complex delivery involved Mrs Mufiat Olateju, who was referred to the tertiary facility while already in labour.
According to the ministry, the medical team at the hospital promptly responded to the high-risk situation and successfully managed the delivery, ensuring that both the mother and the newborns were stabilised.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, was said to have directed the management of FMC Abeokuta to ensure that the mother and the babies receive comprehensive medical care, monitoring and necessary support to safeguard their wellbeing.
Following the directive, the hospital has commenced appropriate medical care for the mother and the newborns while also providing counselling and psychosocial support to the family.
The ministry commended the professionalism and coordinated response of the medical team at FMC Abeokuta in handling the delivery, noting that multiple births such as quadruplets require specialised medical attention and careful monitoring.
It also used the opportunity to emphasise the importance of early and regular antenatal care for pregnant women.
Salako said regular antenatal visits enable health professionals to detect and manage potential complications early, thereby improving pregnancy outcomes and ensuring safer deliveries for both mothers and babies.
Health experts, according to the statement, explained that cases of multiple births underscore the importance of early antenatal registration and routine pregnancy monitoring, which help health professionals detect such pregnancies early and plan safer deliveries.
The ministry therefore encouraged pregnant women to register for antenatal care early at recognised health facilities and maintain regular contact with qualified health professionals throughout their pregnancy.
It further noted that postpartum counselling, including voluntary family planning services, remains an important aspect of maternal healthcare as it helps families make informed decisions on birth spacing and overall wellbeing.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare stated that it would continue to strengthen maternal, newborn and child health services nationwide through improved health systems, skilled healthcare personnel and expanded access to quality healthcare.
According to the ministry, expanding access to maternal and newborn care services remains part of ongoing efforts by the government to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths in the country.