The federal government has allocated a $1 billion facility to support the 36 states and address the alarming rates of maternal and Child Mortality in Nigeria. The initiative, aimed at reducing the high number of deaths among mothers and newborns, also includes plans to upgrade 774 healthcare facilities across the country. These facilities will serve as referral centers, providing free treatment for emergency obstetric complications. The announcement was made by Prof. Pate Ali, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, during the Co-Creation Workshop on the Ogun State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII) in Abeokuta.
Dr. Pate emphasised that the $1 billion fund is designed to incentivise states to achieve measurable results in reducing maternal and child mortality. The funds will be allocated based on performance, with states receiving financial incentives to improve governance, recruit healthcare workers, and achieve better antenatal care coverage. This performance-based approach ensures accountability and encourages states to prioritise maternal and child health. The initiative, launched nationally by President Bola Tinubu, underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of mothers and newborns, who are vital to the nation’s future development.
Ogun State takes the lead in childbearing health innovation.
Furthermore, Ogun State has emerged as a key player in the fight against newborn mortality with the launch of the MAMII initiative. Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, highlighted the state’s commitment to improving mother and child health outcomes. He revealed that two local government areas in the state, Ijebu North East and Ado-Odo/Ota, have maternal mortality rates higher than the national average of 194 deaths per 100,000 live births. To address this, the state government has increased its health budget to 13%, employed over 800 healthcare workers, and provided 80 tricycles for emergency transport services in rural areas.
Governor Abiodun called on stakeholders to leverage innovation, collaboration, and data-driven strategies to reduce its deaths in the state. The MAMII initiative, he noted, aligns with the state’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure better outcomes for mothers and children. The governor’s remarks were echoed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who urged participants at the workshop to embrace innovative solutions and work collectively to save lives. The event marked a critical step in Ogun State’s journey toward sustainable maternal and child health improvements.
Challenges and solutions in tackling mother and child mortality.
Despite progress in some areas, Nigeria continues to grapple with some of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. The maternal mortality ratio stands at 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate is 69 deaths per 1,000 live births. These figures are driven by factors, including poor access to quality healthcare, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural practices. Obstetric hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, and complications from unsafe abortions are among the leading causes of maternal deaths in the country.
To address these challenges, the federal government’s initiative adopts a multi-sectoral approach, involving ministries such as Education and Women Affairs, alongside Health. This strategy recognises that healthcare interventions alone cannot improve maternal and child health. Issues such as childbearing education, nutrition, anemia, and efficient transportation systems must also be addressed. For instance, the availability of ambulances to transport pregnant women to hospitals during emergencies is critical to reducing mortality rates. The government aims to create a more robust and effective healthcare system by tackling these interconnected factors.
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Meanwhile, strong collaboration between federal and state governments and the active involvement of local communities are essential to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on medical care. Given the country’s diverse cultural and geographical landscape, Dr. Pate emphasised the importance of tailoring solutions to each state’s unique needs. He stressed that while the federal government provides the framework and resources, state governments must take ownership of the programs and adapt them to their specific contexts. As a result, the Ogun State government’s efforts serve as a model for other states to follow.