The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a nationwide free cesarean section initiative aimed at reducing alarming maternal mortality rates.
Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed in Abuja at the Joint Annual Review (JAR) which he said would serve as a vital platform for driving the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) 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 deaths.
The minister highlighted that the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative would primarily focus on local government areas reporting over 50 per cent 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), aims to make life-saving procedures like cesarean sections accessible to women in need without the burden of cost,” he said.
He stressed the importance of addressing pre-existing gaps in the healthcare system, stating, “Our objective is to ensure every Nigerian woman has safe and skilled access to maternal care.”
Through partnerships with state health agencies and community health workers, he said that the initiative would increase the presence of skilled attendants in primary health centres and educate women on the importance of antenatal care.
“This initiative forms part of President 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 said.
He called for a collaborative effort to sustain these resources, which would contribute significantly to maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria.
“It’s not just about reducing maternal deaths; it’s about empowering Nigerian women with the healthcare and 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, Dr Adaeze Oreh, Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, said that Prof. Pate’s approach is a critical step toward achieving Nigeria’s maternal health goals and expanding universal healthcare coverage.
Oreh said that the initiative calls on local communities, healthcare workers, and government agencies to actively support and implement these policies.
“Prof. Pate underlined that saving lives requires consistent community-level engagement and a collective commitment to improving 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 exploring solutions to the challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.