My motherhood experience – Stephanie Okereke Linus
Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okereke Linus has stated that the Nigerian government needs to sit up and squarely tackle the inefficiency of the country’s health system.
The movie star who has evolved to become an international filmmaker, made these remarks at the headquarters of Access Bank Plc on Tuesday as part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United Nation Population Fund.
According to Ms Linus: “What needs to be done is the Will. Because when you go outside the country, you notice that Nigerian doctors are everywhere and thriving, and you wonder what is happening to Nigeria? All hands need to be on desk to say we deserve to have good medical system in Nigeria. Good facility to enable you demand for the right drugs as a person.
We can’t continue to have our mothers dying, we can’t have our population sick and going through all these crazy things that are going on. Information is everywhere and the cheapest, so why not gather this information and make Nigeria a better place.”
When asked her thoughts on the state of reproductive health of Nigerian women, she added: “We need to create the right environment, engage the doctors, engage people. I think it is the right of a woman to choose what happens to her body, after all, you are not the one carrying the baby on her behalf.
After what I went through having my child, it dawned on me it is not easy to become a mother. When you put to bed and you’re cool be grateful, be happy because that same story is not same with other people.
The situation changes each time if you have a child, even after the first experience.
I also think women should decide on what to do with their bodies. While things should be put in place to also caution people on what to do. Over all, I think our reproductive health in Nigeria should be taken very seriously and its is very important,” she pleaded.