Nigerian politician and former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi-Fani Kayode, popularly known as FFK, welcomed his son some months ago with his Fiancee, Precious Chikwendu.
In sharing the good news, he posted this photo online.
We have put on our Maternity Nest glasses to analyse this photo. While we agree that he looked quite the happy and proud dad as he posed for the lights and cameras in his labour room scrubs, here are 3 other important deductions we made.
1. They gave birth in a Nigerian hospital
Apparently, they don’t deserve a medal for this; but apart from the fact that he is buying Nigeria to grow the Naira, it is good to see that there are politicians that actually use our hospitals. This will serve to improve standards; because they will witness firsthand what is wrong with the system, and are already in a position to change things. Just as Senator Ben Bruce (the common sense senator) has been saying, when we #BuyNigeria, not only will the naira grow; there will also be an improvement in the services of different parts of the economy.
Medical tourism is at an all time high. The alarming rate at which Nigerian parents are going abroad to birth their babies, for reasons ranging from seeking better healthcare to securing a better future for their children, doesn’t speak good about the country. Something has to be done urgently.
More politicians and people in the corridors of power should use the healthcare services in the country. The decision by the Federal Government to deny allowance to public officials who travel out for medical treatment, is a very welcome development. By the time everyone feels the pinch, there will be an overhaul in the system.
2. He was actively involved in the birthing process
Nothing makes us happier than seeing our men support and care for their wives during pregnancy, labour, and afterwards. This behaviour should be encouraged. Some hospitals discourage men from going into the labour room, and this is not helpful in any way. Experience has shown that when men see exactly what is involved in the labour and childbirth process, they love and appreciate women more, domestic violence and infidelity are also drastically reduced.
In his interview with City People, FFK had this to say about his experience in the labour room:
“Yes, I was right there. I saw every thing. I had never done that before. It was a remarkable experience. What mothers go through during child birth is amazing. Precious did so well. I am very proud of her. She is precious to me. The whole thing humbled me.”
Hopefully, this photo will encourage other Nigerian men to get more involved. This is the time your partner needs you the most. Go for her antenatal visits with her, get to meet her doctors, read maternity websites, download pregnancy apps on your phone and stay up to date. Most importantly, ensure she is receiving the best healthcare, taking her prenatal vitamins and doing all the healthy stuff. Do not overwork her or expect freshly cooked meals everyday. She needs to rest, she needs to be pampered. Take a paternity leave when your baby arrives, if your company allows it.
3. There are standard hospitals in Nigeria, but…
The hospital in the picture seems like a world class hospital. In the midst of the outcry on the poor quality of maternal healthcare in the country, it is refreshing to know that standard hospitals exist. However; our joy might be short-lived, because these are mostly private hospitals which may not be affordable to the average pregnant woman. What about the government hospitals?
What we need at the moment is good and at the same time, affordable healthcare; or else the maternal mortality rate may remain as high as it is. Nigeria currently ranks 11th in the world. In a recent interview with Osasu Igbinedion on the Osasu show, the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folurunsho Adewole, stated that one of the key cardinals of his administration is to reduce maternal mortality. He lamented on the deplorable state of healthcare in Nigeria, saying:
“Nigeria is one of the worst places to deliver in the world. We rank at par with some war torn countries like Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and so on, and this ought not to be”.
He said measures are being put in place for Nigerians and pregnant women, particularly those at primary level to enjoy free antenatal care and free delivery services.
While this agenda is laudable; we would appreciate if the focus is on quality rather than quantity, or better still, a combination of both.
In addition to what the government is doing, improving the standard of healthcare should be a collective effort. You and I also have a part to play. One thing that works abroad is the fear of licence-to-practice being revoked, and the fear of negative patient reviews. A Patient can review a hospital or healthcare professional based on the services rendered, and these reviews are accessible to everyone. Since nobody wants bad reviews or reports to their name, the best of services are always rendered.
We do not have a review system in Nigeria; but we do have agencies we can report misconducts, ill practices and quackery to. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN is the agency that regulates medical, dental and alternative medicine practice in Nigeria. You can make a report to them here. Also, in Lagos state, there is the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HEFEMAA. These agencies are all effective and for our own benefit.
If you see any misconduct, report it… All hands on deck folks!
