StayAlive Campaign Expands to Combat Preventable Maternal, Newborn Deaths Across Nigeria

The Refreshing Spring Foundation has intensified efforts to tackle Nigeria's high rate of preventable maternal and newborn deaths with the expansion of its flagship StayAlive Campaign, a community-based maternal and neonatal health initiative designed to improve access to health education, antenatal care awareness, and essential support services for pregnant women in underserved communities.

Founded by registered nurse Adetayo O. Mofikoya, the initiative, which was launched in 2024, is broadening its reach through strategic partnerships with Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) to bridge critical gaps in maternal healthcare and improve pregnancy outcomes for vulnerable women.

The expanded campaign has already reached pregnant women and nursing mothers at the Ifako and Alimosho Primary Health Care Centres in Lagos, as well as surrounding communities, where participants received comprehensive health education on the importance of early registration for antenatal care, regular prenatal visits, proper maternal nutrition, and the consistent use of prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns.

Healthcare professionals involved in the campaign also educate expectant mothers on recognizing the early warning signs of potentially life-threatening pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, preterm labour, hyperemesis gravidarum, and molar pregnancy.

According to the Foundation, many pregnancy-related deaths occur because women are unable to identify these warning signs early enough to seek appropriate medical attention. The campaign emphasizes that timely diagnosis, prompt referral, and quality medical care can significantly reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

As part of its intervention, the StayAlive Campaign operates the Mama Kit Initiative, which provides essential supplies to expectant and new mothers to ease the financial burden associated with childbirth.

Each Mama Kit contains basic newborn necessities such as diapers, baby wipes, and other essential hospital consumables required during delivery and the baby's first week of life. Organisers say the support is particularly targeted at low-income families who often struggle to afford even the most basic maternity items.

Speaking on the expansion of the initiative, the Founder of the Refreshing Spring Foundation, Adetayo O. Mofikoya, said improving maternal and newborn survival requires more than healthcare facilities alone, stressing that education, awareness, nutrition, and community support remain vital components of safe motherhood.

"Women's health is an essential part of healthcare that requires continuous education, support and awareness. Many maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria are caused by pregnancy complications that can be prevented through early recognition, proper nutrition, access to prenatal care and timely medical intervention," she said.

Mofikoya noted that despite advances in healthcare, many women still lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth because they lack access to accurate information or cannot obtain essential maternal healthcare services in time.

She stressed that the Foundation remains committed to ensuring that no woman is denied the opportunity for a safe pregnancy because of financial hardship or inadequate health information.

"The StayAlive Campaign is empowering women with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions throughout pregnancy. Through education, advocacy and practical support, we are working to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal mortality and ensure that every mother and every newborn has the opportunity to survive and thrive," she added.

The Foundation explained that healthy nutrition remains one of the major pillars of the campaign. Pregnant women are encouraged to consume balanced diets rich in protein, fruits, vegetables, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients required for healthy fetal development, while maintaining regular antenatal clinic attendance throughout pregnancy.

According to the organisation, consistent use of prenatal vitamins—particularly folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy—can significantly reduce the incidence of neural tube defects, one of the leading causes of birth abnormalities.

Beyond health education, the campaign seeks to strengthen community awareness by encouraging families, community leaders, and healthcare workers to support pregnant women throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.

The Foundation said its long-term vision is to contribute to reducing Nigeria's maternal and neonatal mortality rates through sustained advocacy, improved community engagement, and increased access to essential maternal and newborn care resources.

As the programme expands beyond Lagos to other underserved communities across the country, the organisation is calling on government agencies, healthcare providers, development partners, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and community leaders to join efforts aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The Refreshing Spring Foundation noted that stronger collaboration among stakeholders will be essential to ensuring that more women receive life-saving health information, quality antenatal care, and practical support throughout pregnancy and childbirth.

Launched in 2024, the StayAlive Campaign serves as the Foundation's flagship maternal and newborn health programme, focusing on education, advocacy, community outreach, and the provision of essential care resources for women, particularly those living in marginalized and underserved communities across Nigeria.

With preventable maternal and newborn deaths remaining a significant public health challenge in the country, the Foundation believes sustained investment in awareness, early intervention, and community-based support can save thousands of lives and help ensure that every mother and every child has a healthier start to life.