Dr. Oluseun Adek, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), has underscored the critical need for stronger emergency referral systems to address the alarming rates of preventable maternal deaths in Nigeria. Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) in Abeokuta, Adek highlighted that even with the availability of specialists and essential medical resources in tertiary hospitals, lives can still be lost if patients are unable to reach these facilities in a timely manner.

Adek pointed out that the existing healthcare challenges stem not from a lack of medical knowledge but from the failure to translate this knowledge into accessible care for the general populace. He illustrated this issue with the example of a pregnant woman in a rural area who experiences severe bleeding post-delivery but faces delays due to inadequate transportation and referral systems.

To effectively prevent maternal deaths, Adek called for the establishment of functional emergency referral systems, reliable transportation, early identification of complications, and immediate access to skilled healthcare personnel. He emphasized that improving access to essential medicines and affordable generic drugs is also vital, alongside community-based screenings for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

In his address, Adek encouraged Muslim healthcare professionals to utilize mosques as venues for health education, regular screenings, and disease prevention initiatives. He also advocated for the use of mobile technology to facilitate appointment reminders, follow-ups, and emergency coordination, all while ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained.

Moreover, he urged healthcare providers to adopt evidence-based treatment practices, enhance patient education and safety, and promote rational drug use. Laboratory scientists were also called upon to ensure accurate diagnoses and timely communication of critical test results.

Referencing Qur'an 4:58, Adek reminded healthcare professionals of their ethical responsibilities, urging them to uphold integrity, competence, compassion, and accountability in their patient interactions. He stressed that care should be provided based on clinical need and urgency, rather than on a patient’s financial status or social connections.

Dr. Ibraheem Opeewe, Chairman of IMAN’s Ogun State Chapter, echoed Adek’s sentiments, emphasizing the association's commitment to improving healthcare quality in Nigeria through enhanced service delivery, collaboration, education, training, and advocacy. He called for increased support to expand their outreach efforts and improve healthcare access for underserved communities in the state.