Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo on Tuesday distributed 120 Anti-shock garments to hospitals to prevent maternal mortality due to bleeding and ensure safe delivery in the state.

The purchase and distribution of the Anti-shock garments was handled by Anambra State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative.

During the distribution of the anti-shock garment to mission hospitals and general hospitals in the state, Soludo said that the garment could keep a bleeding woman alive for 48 hours.

“Records from the maternal mortality review held in the state showed that 80 per cent of maternal deaths were as a result of bleeding also known as post partum hemorrhage (PPH).

“PPH is heavy bleeding of a woman during or shortly after delivery and it is causing death among women. This is why we are distributing the anti-shock garments which is a low technology first aid device.

“Once bleeding has been identified, many women die before receiving adequate treatment. Therefore, the garment can be used to keep such women alive for 48 hours, if not she can bleed to death within 30 minutes.

“These are preventable deaths and I urge our health personnel to put the anti-shock garments to good use to reduce maternal mortality and ensure safe delivery in Anambra,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Afam Obidike, state’s Commissioner for Health, said the state government was sustaining efforts to ensure that  Anambra remained the lowest in terms of maternal mortality in the country.

Obidike said that the next phase of the anti-shock garments distribution would be to all the primary healthcare centres in the state.

“This garment is used to stabilize women who are suffering from obstetric bleeding and shock. It  helps such women survive delays in getting to a hospital and getting the treatment that they need.

“This brand of garments can be reused for at least 144 times. Our goal is that no woman in Anambra should die as a result of preventable cause, “Obidike said.

Dr Obianuju Okoye, state Reproductive Health Coordinator, said there would be training to upgrade the clinical capacities of health workers on the use of the anti-shock garments.

Appreciating the government and the wife of the Governor on behalf of the benefiting hospitals, Dr Francis Ifeaneme, Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association, Anambra chapter, promised that the garments would be used to save lives.