Health

Doctors Warn of Risky Pregnancy Spacing Trend Threatening Mothers and Newborns

Published

2 months ago

May 27, 2026

Preport

Medical experts in maternal health have raised concerns over increasingly short intervals between pregnancies, warning that the trend poses serious risks to both mothers and newborns.

The doctors, who spoke to a health publication, said women—especially those who delivered via caesarean section (CS)—are at higher risk when they conceive too soon after childbirth, stressing that the body needs sufficient time to recover before another pregnancy.

They recommended a minimum spacing of 24 months before conception after childbirth, noting that inadequate recovery time can lead to complications such as uterine scar rupture, anaemia, excessive bleeding, premature birth, poor foetal growth and, in severe cases, stillbirth.

The experts explained that women who have undergone CS are medically classified as high-risk, even when they appear healthy after delivery, due to the possibility of internal complications that may not be immediately visible.

They also warned against the growing influence of unverified health advice circulating on social media, urging women to rely strictly on guidance from qualified medical professionals.

The concern comes amid the emergence of a growing trend popularly referred to as “two-under-two,” where women have children in very rapid succession. According to the experts, such patterns may contribute to Nigeria’s already high rates of maternal and infant mortality if not properly addressed.

A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Uyo, Aniekan Abasiattai, explained that the uterus must fully heal after a caesarean section before another pregnancy is attempted.

He warned that if the surgical scar is not fully healed, it may rupture during labour, creating a life-threatening emergency for both mother and child.

He further noted that women who do not observe adequate spacing after CS are often advised against vaginal delivery in subsequent pregnancies, meaning repeat surgical delivery becomes necessary.

Beyond scar-related risks, he said short birth intervals increase the likelihood of anaemia, gestational diabetes, placenta complications and postpartum haemorrhage, particularly among women who are already medically vulnerable.

Another expert, Abubakar Panti, described short birth spacing as a major public health concern in Nigeria, warning that it continues to contribute to preventable maternal and infant health complications.

He advised that women should maintain at least a 24-month gap between childbirth and the next pregnancy, which translates to about three years between successive births for optimal health outcomes.

Panti added that closely spaced pregnancies place significant physical strain on breastfeeding mothers and increase risks such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and newborn complications.

He identified poor contraceptive use, cultural expectations for rapid childbearing, and late marriages as key drivers of unsafe birth spacing practices.

While acknowledging concerns about declining fertility among some women, he stressed that the medical risks of rapid successive pregnancies far outweigh such fears.

Both experts called for stronger integration of postpartum family planning into maternal healthcare services, as well as intensified public awareness campaigns to educate women on safe pregnancy spacing and its importance for maternal and child survival.

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Health

DR Congo records 3,200 Ebola cases, 1,405 deaths as outbreak worsens

Published

7 hours ago

July 27, 2026

Preport

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 3,200 confirmed Ebola cases, including 1,405 deaths, as the outbreak continues to spread across six provinces, according to the country’s latest situation report.

The report, which covers data up to Saturday, showed that 571 patients have recovered, while 773 others remain in isolation and under medical supervision.

Within the previous 24 hours, health authorities recorded 125 new infections and 51 deaths, underscoring the continued transmission of the virus.

Ituri remains epicentre

The outbreak, declared on 15 May, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, although candidate vaccines are undergoing evaluation.

According to the report, Ituri Province continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for 89 per cent of all confirmed infections nationwide.

Health authorities attributed the sustained spread of the virus to population movements, insecurity, artisanal mining activities and cross border travel involving Uganda and South Sudan.

They noted that the outbreak remains in a phase of sustained transmission, with a high level of virus circulation across affected communities.

The report also highlighted mounting pressure on treatment facilities, particularly in North Kivu Province, where 171 patients are occupying centres designed for 141 beds.

Nationwide, Ebola treatment centres have reached an occupancy rate of 82.1 per cent, reflecting the increasing burden on the country’s health system.

Authorities said surveillance and response measures would be intensified to curb transmission and prevent further spread of the disease.

Case in Uganda

The latest figures from the DRC come as neighbouring Uganda moves closer to being declared Ebola free.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Uganda began the mandatory 42-day countdown after discharging its last Ebola patient from an isolation unit.

Under World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, a country can only be declared Ebola free if no new cases are recorded during the 42 -day period.

Preparedness in Nigeria

As the outbreak worsens in Central Africa, Nigerian health authorities have intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness to reduce the risk of cross border transmission.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated its Emergency Operations Centre, strengthened screening at points of entry and heightened surveillance across states following the declaration of the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.

READ ALSO: CEPI begins first human trial of Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine

The federal government has also identified 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory as being at high risk of Ebola infection based on a dynamic risk assessment and has urged state governments to strengthen surveillance, isolation capacity and infection prevention measures.

Health

10,000 Nigerians benefit from 2026 diaspora health initiative — Official

Published

2 days ago

July 26, 2026

Preport

The federal government has announced that nearly 10,000 Nigerians benefited from specialist medical services, surgeries and other healthcare interventions under the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Saturday at the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and closing ceremony of the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Mr Salako said the initiative brought together thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora who voluntarily returned to the country to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers and support local health systems.

He described the programme as a demonstration of patriotism and an example of how diaspora expertise could help improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

According to him, diaspora medical teams drawn from organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany and South Africa delivered medical interventions across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Healthcare services

Mr Salako said the initiative provided medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening and other healthcare interventions to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.

He added that more than 2,000 frontline healthcare workers were trained during the programme to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.

Among the achievements highlighted by the minister were the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

He also said more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries were carried out in Enugu, Imo and Abia states.

According to him, advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures were performed in Lagos, while healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis.

He added that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through the initiative.

Government plans

Mr Salako said the federal government would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerian health professionals abroad by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements and supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions.

He added that the government would also encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

While acknowledging the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration was implementing reforms to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare, and professional development.

ALSO READ: Pathfinder International launches initiative to drive women-led innovation in health, climate

He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry to enable them to contribute more effectively to the country’s health sector.

Mr Salako also called for sustained collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.

He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners and members of the joint planning committee for supporting the successful implementation of the initiative.