SOGON, FIGO advocate adoption of new anaemia medication to reduce maternal deaths
The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), in collaboration with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), has intensified advocacy for the adoption of Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM)
The Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), in collaboration with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), has intensified advocacy for the adoption of Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) into Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The organisations described FCM as a breakthrough in the treatment of severe anaemia among pregnant women.
The call was made during a two-day SMART Advocacy workshop on policy and implementation pathways for Ferric Carboxymaltose (PIP: FCM) in Nigeria.
FCM is an intravenous medication administered in a single dose to correct severe anaemia during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Speaking at the event, President of SOGON, Okechukwu Ikpeze, said the workshop was aimed at creating awareness and pushing for policy acceptance of the drug across all levels of the health system.
“This is an advocacy workshop to create awareness on Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM). It is a drug that was recently introduced into Nigeria. It is a drug that can be given to a woman with severe anaemia. One dose of it and it will correct the anaemia,” he said.
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Ikpeze noted that stakeholders at the workshop were exploring ways to ensure the drug is integrated into national health policies through engagement with relevant authorities.
“We are here to discuss how we can advocate for this drug to be accepted into the Nigerian health system through the ministries of health, regulatory bodies, and professional associations so that Nigerian women will begin to benefit from it,” he stated.
He raised concerns over the high burden of anaemia among pregnant women, describing it as a major contributor to maternal mortality.
“Anaemia kills a lot of women, even after delivery. The advantage of this drug, when given intravenously, is that it cures anaemia. It doesn’t require everyday treatment or repeated treatment,” he said.
Citing research backing the drug’s effectiveness, Ikpeze added, “The science has been developed by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital research group, and it is published in The Lancet worldwide. There is evidence that this drug is good, and it is superior to other alternatives.”
He disclosed that SOGON is pushing for the inclusion of the drug on Nigeria’s Essential Medicines List (EML) to enable widespread access.
“We are pushing for the acceptance of the drug because it is good for pregnant women. We want the drug to be listed on the essential medicine list (EML) so that governments at all levels can buy it and distribute it to their health facilities,” he said.
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“We want the policy makers to authorise the liberal use of FCM so that every manufacturer can import it. What we are pushing is for it to get through these approvals and get people to know that it is available. Allow pharmaceutical industries to manufacture, import, and distribute.”
Read Also: SOGON seeks FG’s collaboration to curb infant mortality
Ikpeze further revealed that the advocacy drive is expected to last for about 18 months, targeting healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public.
Highlighting the prevalence of anaemia, he said: “50 per cent of pregnant women are anaemic.”
He added, “Half of the pregnant women you see going about are anaemic. Anybody with severe anaemia can use this drug, and it will carry the person throughout the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.”
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Also speaking, Project Coordinator at FIGO, Sabrina Racine, said the workshop was designed to strengthen advocacy capacity among professional bodies to influence health policies.
“The SMART advocacy workshop was to help societies strengthen their ability to bring about change in policies and guidelines and to make sure that critical medicals like FCM for anaemia can be accessible, used to reduce maternal mortality,” she said.
Racine emphasised the link between anaemia and maternal deaths, noting the urgency of scaling up access to effective treatment.
“We know that anaemia can create a lot of complications and can be linked to mortality for women. So the goal of this workshop is to help strengthen that advocacy to go to major stakeholders and make them know that this medication can save women's lives,” she added.
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