Federal government has unveiled a nationwide free cesarean section initiative aimed at reducing the alarming maternal mortality rate.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, disclosed this recently in Abuja at the Joint Annual Review, JAR, which he said would serve as a vital platform for driving the Sector Wide Approach in Nigeria.
Pate said under the initiative, cesarean sections and essential maternal care would be provided free of charge to eligible women across the country, targeting areas with the highest maternal death.
He highlighted that the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative would primarily focus on local government areas reporting over 50 percent of maternal deaths, as many women face barriers such as lack of awareness, spousal consent and financial challenges.
“The initiative, supported by the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, aim to make life-saving procedures like cesarean sections accessible to women in need without the burden of cost”, the minister said.
He stressed the importance of addressing pre-existing gaps in the healthcare system, stating that,“Our objective is to ensure that every Nigerian woman has safe and skilled access to maternal care”.
Through partnerships with state health agencies and community health workers, he said the initiative would increase the presence of skilled attendants in primary health centres and educate women on the importance of antenatal care.
According to him,“this initiative forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s health agenda, aiming to provide not only immediate relief through free procedures, but also long-term impact by building capacity among healthcare providers and enhancing the quality of primary care”.
He called for a collaborative effort to sustain these resources, which would contribute significantly to maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria.
“It is not just about reducing maternal death; it is about empowering Nigerian women with the knowledge they need for safer pregnancies and childbirth”, he remarked.
Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with systemic challenges including limited healthcare access in rural areas and high out-of-pocket expenses.
Speaking on the sideline, Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, Dr Adaeze Oreh, told NAN that Professor Pate’s approach is a critical step toward achieving Nigeria’s maternal health goals and expanding universal healthcare coverage.
Oreh said the initiative calls on local communities, healthcare workers and government agencies to actively support and implement these policies.
“Professor Pate noted that saving lives requires consistent community-level engagement and a collective commitment to improve maternal health nationwide”, she said.
The three-day event will focus on setting priorities for the next phase of Nigeria’s health sector reforms, as well as explore solutions to the challenges facing the country’s healthcare system. NAN
