Leverage Digital Innovations to Bridge Gaps in Maternal, Child Health, Lagos ALPs Charges Members

The Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs), Lagos State Chapter, has urged members to embrace digital pharmacy innovations to promote equity in maternal and child healthcare access across the country. The group stated that this would help reduce the high indices of maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.

The call was made during the ALPs Day of the PSN Lagos Scientific Week, held on 26 August, at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, opposite General Hospital, Oba Sekunmade Road, Ikorodu.

The health outreach featured free screening for blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and Body Mass Index (BMI), alongside counseling sessions and the presentation of free drugs as prescribed by practitioners for identified conditions.

Speaking on the theme of the programme, “Improving Equity in Maternal and Child Health through Digital Pharmacy Innovation,” the keynote speaker, Pharm. Ibrahim Mohammed Amidu, a consultant public health pharmacist, highlighted the sobering reality that maternal mortality in Nigeria remains among the highest globally, with over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births annually, while approximately 850,000 children under five die every year.

He noted that these numbers far exceed the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and reflect systemic inequities. According to him, the central problem lies in poor access to quality healthcare, with only 43 per cent of poor women having access to skilled care during childbirth compared to 89 per cent of women from wealthy households.

Amidu underscored that these disparities are driven by access and equity gaps. “Rural women, who make up much of Nigeria’s poor population, often walk long distances to reach health facilities, only to find drugs unavailable or unaffordable. This is not because solutions do not exist, but because health systems are failing to deliver them equitably. Such failures disproportionately affect women and children, who are central to community well-being and future societal progress.”

In seeking solutions, he pointed to digital health innovations as a powerful tool to bridge inequities. With mobile phone penetration in Africa at nearly 90 per cent and internet penetration around 43–47 per cent, he argued that the infrastructure for digital healthcare already exists. While electricity access remains a challenge, he stressed that digital technologies can still provide scalable and sustainable interventions to extend healthcare to underserved populations, including those in remote rural areas.

To fully harness these opportunities, he outlined a three-step model for going digital: adopt, adapt, and advocate. Pharmacists must first adopt digital tools, pilot them, and test their effectiveness. Next, they must adapt these tools to their specific practice settings—whether community, hospital, or research—to customize solutions. Finally, they must advocate, spread awareness, and encourage others to embrace digital health, thereby multiplying impact across the healthcare ecosystem.

Turning to stakeholders, he issued a call to action, urging policymakers to ensure that digital health is not seen as a luxury for the rich but is made accessible to the “last mile”—the poorest, most vulnerable women in rural areas. “Innovators must design with inclusivity in mind, creating solutions that work even in low-resource settings. Practicing pharmacists, especially women pharmacists, must champion these tools, encourage patients to use them, and advocate against sticking to outdated paper-based methods,” he stated.

The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, commended the lady pharmacists for their efforts in promoting maternal and child healthcare across the state. “When mothers and children thrive, our nation thrives. Technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives, and it is inspiring to see you, our esteemed lady pharmacists, championing the integration of digital solutions into this critical area of healthcare.”

He noted that digital pharmacy innovation has the potential to overcome geographical barriers, enhance patient access to essential medicines, and improve the quality of care. “It can help us reach underserved populations, ensuring that no mother or child is left behind. The PSN leaders recognise this and deeply appreciate the dedication, expertise, and passion that members of the Association of Lady Pharmacists bring to the profession. Your efforts in advocacy, education, and community outreach are a testament to your commitment to the well-being of Nigerians.”

Also speaking on the second symposium topic, “Sustainable Healthcare for Mother and Child: Bridging the Healthcare Gap,” former ALPs chairman, Dr Modupe Ologunagba, reinforced the points of the first speaker. She decried the practice of pregnant women patronizing traditional birth attendants or faith homes without skilled personnel, stressing that such practices are major contributors to maternal mortality.

Responding to a participant who narrated how he lost his pregnant sister during childbirth, Ologunagba underscored the importance of seeking quality healthcare promptly and in the right places, as delays are often fatal. While acknowledging that some traditional birth attendants are skilled, she warned that many lack the expertise to handle complications—hence the need for timely referrals.

Beyond access to quality care, she emphasized the importance of adequate nutrition for mothers and children, noting that good nutrition strengthens the immune system to fight diseases and maintain overall health. “Pregnant women and nursing mothers must ensure they eat well in order to stay healthy and prevent disease,” she advised.

In an exclusive interview, the Lagos ALPs Chairman, Pharm. Yewande Olorunsola, explained the rationale behind their chosen theme, noting that as mothers, they considered what would be most beneficial to maternal and child health. She stressed that most maternal deaths occur in communities, particularly under the care of traditional birth attendants, who must learn to recognize their limits and refer cases promptly.

“The issue we face in this part of the world is that we don’t always know our limits in healthcare, which is why things go wrong. We want to caution traditional birth attendants to operate within their knowledge and, as soon as they encounter cases beyond their capacity, make immediate referrals,” she said.

The Planning Committee Chairman for the health outreach, Pharm. Catherine Martins Zimedia, appreciated members of the association for their contributions to the success of the event. She urged participants to take advantage of the free screening and education to be better informed about their health status.