Nigeria launches free cesarean initiative to combat maternal mortality among vulnerable women
The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health has introduced a new initiative to offer free cesarean sections to impoverished and vulnerable women nationwide, aiming to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Launched under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), this program was unveiled at the Joint Annual Health Review (JAR) held in Abuja.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, described the program as an “ambitious commitment” to tackle Nigeria’s high maternal death rates, especially targeting the 172 local government areas that account for over half of maternal mortality in the country. The initiative includes services offered in both public and private facilities affiliated with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), broadening access for expectant mothers in underserved regions.
The program also includes a partnership between NHIA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and State Health Insurance Agencies (SHIAs) to manage reimbursements, ensuring that healthcare providers can deliver cesarean and related maternal health services without financial constraints. Community health workers are set to play an essential role in the initiative, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s plan to recruit 120,000 new health workers to bolster primary care across Nigeria.
Prof. Pate expressed optimism that MAMII will significantly improve health outcomes by concentrating resources in high-need areas, helping bridge healthcare gaps for women in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
