Stayalive Campaign Expands To Tackle Preventable Maternal, Newborn Deaths In Nigeria
The Refreshing Spring Foundation has expanded its StayAlive Campaign, a maternal and newborn health initiative aimed at reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths by increasing access to health education, antenatal care awareness, and essential support for pregnant women in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Founded by Adetayo O. Mofikoya, RN, the initiative, which was launched in 2024, is scaling up its community outreach in partnership with Primary Health Care Centres to address persistent gaps in maternal healthcare and improve pregnancy outcomes.
The campaign has so far reached women at the Ifako and Alimosho Primary Health Care Centres in Lagos and surrounding communities, where participants received education on the importance of early and regular antenatal care, proper maternal nutrition, and the use of prenatal vitamins, including folic acid, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs).
As part of the intervention, the campaign also educates women on the early warning signs of life-threatening pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, preterm labour, hyperemesis gravidarum and molar pregnancy. The initiative emphasizes that early detection and timely treatment are critical to reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
The StayAlive Campaign also operates the Mama Kit Initiative, which provides expectant and new mothers with essential newborn supplies, including diapers, baby wipes and basic hospital consumables, to ease the financial burden on families during the first week after delivery.
Speaking on the expansion of the initiative, Mofikoya said many maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria could be prevented through improved awareness, adequate nutrition, quality prenatal care and timely medical intervention.
“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.
She added that the campaign was committed to ensuring that no woman is denied a safe pregnancy because of inadequate information or lack of basic support.
“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,” Mofikoya said.
According to the Foundation, the initiative promotes healthy nutrition during pregnancy by educating women on balanced diets rich in protein, fruits, vegetables, iron, calcium and other essential nutrients, while encouraging consistent antenatal care and the use of prenatal vitamins to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
The initiative focuses on improving maternal and newborn health outcomes through education, advocacy, community outreach and the provision of essential maternal and newborn care resources.
The foundation called on government agencies, healthcare providers, development partners, corporate organisations and community leaders to support efforts to expand the campaign to more vulnerable communities across the country.
Launched in 2024, the StayAlive Campaign is the flagship maternal and newborn health programme of the Refreshing Spring Foundation. It focuses on empowering women and bridging the gap for mothers who face financial barriers and limited access to quality healthcare services.
The program focuses on supporting women, especially in marginalized and underserved communities across Nigeria, through health education, community outreach, and essential maternal and newborn care resources.