Emzor Reaffirms Commitment To Maternal Health As Nigeria Marks Int’l Day For Maternal Health and Rights

As Nigeria joins the global community to celebrate the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights (IDMHR), Emzor Group has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing maternal health outcomes across Nigeria and Africa.

Leading the call the Executive Director, Emzor Group, Pharm. Uzoma Ezeoke, emphasised the urgency of sustained action: “Every woman deserves access to safe pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. Maternal health should not be a privilege, it is a fundamental right. However achieving this requires deliberate investment, strong health systems, and collaboration across public and private sectors. Emzor stands proudly at this intersection, and today we use this opportunity to restate our commitment to improving maternal health outcomes.”

Observed annually on April 11, IDMHR highlights the need for equitable, respectful, and high-quality maternal care.

This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” underscores the importance of eliminating preventable maternal deaths, strengthening midwifery systems, and protecting women’s health rights, particularly in low-resource settings.

Nigeria continues to report a disproportionate burden of maternal mortality, with an estimated 993 deaths per 100,000 live births, accounting for approximately 28–29% of global maternal deaths, according to the WHO Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000–2020 report (published 2023).

This translates to about 82,000 maternal deaths annually, or over 200 deaths daily, largely from preventable causes. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality globally, responsible for roughly one-quarter of maternal deaths, reinforcing the need for timely access to effective, evidence-based interventions.

Highlighting the Emzor Group’s contribution, Head of Marketing, Emzor, Mr. Kunle Faloye, noted: “We are committed to supporting healthcare systems with high-quality, affordable pharmaceutical products that address critical maternal health needs, from nutrition and prenatal care to postpartum support. Our investments in local manufacturing are designed to improve access, ensure supply reliability, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for mothers and newborns. This spans both over-the-counter supplements and prescription medicines.”

Through its subsidiary, Zolon Healthcare Limited, the Emzor group continues to expand its footprint in maternal health solutions. One of its key offerings, Eprostol (Misoprostol formulations), supports a range of obstetric indications including postpartum haemorrhage and cervical ripening, in line with clinical guidelines, providing healthcare professionals with reliable options for maternal care. Eprostol is the first locally manufactured from a misoprostol suite in Nigeria.

Further affirming the Group’s innovative solutions, Head of Marketing at Zolon Healthcare (a subsidiary of the Emzor Group), Pharm. Obiajulu Onwuzor said: “Our focus is on delivering quality-assured, locally manufactured solutions that align with clinical best practices. By strengthening local production capacity, we are helping to close critical gaps in access to essential maternal health medicines.”

Emzor’s maternal care footprint also includes preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy. Its key offering, Maldox, helps to reduce the risk of maternal anemia and low birth weight in newborns, and is a WHO-recommended strategy for the Intermittent Preventive Treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp).

Beyond these products, Emzor’s broader maternal and child health portfolio includes iron supplements, multivitamins, and essential micronutrients that support healthy pregnancy and fetal development, as well as a broad range of nutritional supplements like Folic acid, Em-B-Plex etc., and other products that contribute to improved child health and nutrition.

Reinforcing Emzor Group’s long-term vision, Pharm. Uzoma Ezeoke added: “Improving maternal health outcomes requires a holistic approach, from prevention and nutrition to access to life-saving medicines. At Emzor, we remain committed to playing our part in building a future where no woman dies while giving life and both mothers and their babies are able to achieve their full potential and wellbeing.

Aligned with its vision to be Africa’s leading healthcare company, Emzor continues to invest in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, expand access to essential medicines, and contribute to strengthening healthcare systems across the continent.