Pregnant women in Lagos have been advised to pay close attention to health issues from conception to delivery, as part of efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality.

The call was made at the maiden seminar organised by Wilmer Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Primary Health Centre in Lagos.

The seminar, themed: ‘Recognising Danger Signs in Pregnancy and Labour,’ was held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos. It brought together midwives, nurses, traditional birth attendants, health workers, and expectant mothers.

The initiative, according to the organisers, provided opportunity to raise awareness about preventing and managing birth complications within communities, while also offering a platform for women to share their pregnancy-related experiences and challenges.

Speaking at the event, the Medical Director of Wilmer Medical Centre, Dr. Babatunde Beke, traced the journey of the hospital from its humble beginnings to its current expansion.

 “In 2020, we started in a small three-bedroom apartment in Olodi-Apapa with a dream to provide a place where people felt cared for, respected, and safe. Today, by God’s grace and with your support, we are moving into a bigger, better facility at Wilmer Bus Stop. This new facility will allow us to serve the community with love, excellence, and respect,” he said.

Beke emphasised the crucial role of nurses, midwives, and traditional birth attendants in ensuring safe deliveries, particularly for women in vulnerable situations.

“Many women in our community entrust their lives to you at the most critical moment: childbirth. A woman in labour is between life and death, and your dedication has helped save countless lives. We honour and thank you sincerely for the great work you continue to do. Together, we can make pregnancy and childbirth safer for every mother,” he said.