L-R Mrs Ame Okwudi- Secretary, Mr. Seyi Akinnubi- Chairman, Dr (Mrs) Comfort Lawani - Member (Boardmembers of the just inaugurated Dr. Ufadime Seyi-Akinnubi Foundation in Lagos.)
Pulmonary embolism, one of the world's least recognised but leading causes of maternal deaths, is drawing new attention in Nigeria amid fresh efforts to cut maternal deaths.
Health experts warn that many maternal deaths occur in women wrongly considered low-risk, with pulmonary embolism often missed until it is too late.
"Behind every maternal death is a name, a face, and a dream cut short," said Odofin James Taiye, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. "Pulmonary embolism is a silent killer that is too often missed. If we can teach one woman or one doctor to recognise the signs, we will save a life."
Odofin explained that pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, often formed in the legs, travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow. Pregnancy, he said, increases the risk of clot formation up to fiftyfold compared with non-pregnant women. Other risk factors include surgery, obesity, and prolonged immobility.
He called for awareness campaigns, better antenatal education, and early intervention to reduce maternal deaths. "It should never be accepted that while trying to bring life, a woman loses hers," he said, urging stronger partnerships between healthcare providers, communities, and policymakers, as well as universal health coverage to improve maternal outcomes.
In response, the Dr Ufadime Seyi-Akinnubi Foundation has been launched to advance awareness and prevention. Inaugurated on October 31 in Victoria Island, Lagos, the foundation honours Dr Ufadime Seyi-Akinnubi, a dentist known for her warmth, generosity, and devotion to community care, who died from pulmonary embolism while pregnant at the age of 42.
Ame Lawani-Okwudi, the foundation's Secretary, said it was born out of "purpose, grief and conviction that no woman should die bringing forth life." The foundation's name and vision -- Safe Mother, Bright Smiles -- unite Seyi-Akinnubi's twin passions for maternal health and dentistry.
"She was a dentist who didn't just fix teeth but restored confidence," Lawani-Okwudi said. "Now her foundation will restore smiles through saving mothers."
The foundation will launch two flagship programmes: the Safe Mothers Programme, which will promote awareness of pulmonary embolism, hypertension, and other pregnancy risks through training for health workers, and the Bright Smile Dental Outreach, which will provide free dental care in schools, rural areas, and maternity centres.
A planned Dr Ufadime Excellence Award will also recognise young women in healthcare who demonstrate compassion, integrity, and service -- the qualities that defined her.
"She lived to restore smiles through dentistry," Lawani-Okwudi said. "Her legacy will now restore smiles through safer motherhood."