NIGERIA’s coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced that Cesarean sections will now be provided free of charge to all Nigerian women in need.
The initiative, the minister said is geared towards pruning down rising figures of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Thursday, November 7, at the launch of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII), during the ongoing Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) for health.
Pate informed that the initiative, part of the new Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, ” Under the initiative, cesarean sections and essential maternal care would be provided free of charge to eligible women across the country.
“The new policy is designed to ensure that women who need C-sections—either due to complications or as part of planned deliveries—can access the procedure without financial obstacles.”
“The initiatives will also address Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates by improving access to quality healthcare, enhancing primary health care (PHC) services, and increasing community engagement, “he further explained.
He also emphasised that the initiative targets Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, currently standing at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births and 41 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively, along with a low uptake of essential health services.
“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), aims to make life-saving procedures like cesarean sections accessible to women in need without the burden of cost,” he said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, lauded the initiative, underscoring the importance of effective implementation.
“No woman should lose her life simply because she can’t afford a C-section. If implemented right, this initiative will deliver. We’re here to support every step of the way,” Mulombo stated.
Earlier in her submission,the Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Adaeze Oreh, lauded Pate’s approach, calling it a vital step toward Nigeria’s maternal health goals and advancing universal healthcare coverage.
She highlighted that the success of MAMII relies on the active involvement of communities, healthcare providers, and government agencies. The three-day Joint Annual Review event, where MAMII was launched, will also set priorities for the next phase of Nigeria’s health sector reforms.
The ICIR reports that the 2023 UN Report on Trends in Maternal Mortality from 2000-2020 revealed that nearly 28.5 percent of global maternal deaths happen in Nigeria. The report further states that a woman in Nigeria has a 1 in 19 lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum, whereas, in the most developed countries, the lifetime risk is 1 in 4900.
The report noted that the North East zone is reported to experience some of the country’s worst MNH outcomes after suffering from ongoing conflict, primarily driven by Boko Haram. The insecurity has led to significant protection concerns, displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and persistent food insecurity.
Nigeria’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan indicates that approximately 8.3 million people need humanitarian assistance in the North East region alone. Women and children represent 80 per cent of the crisis-affected population.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.