The federal government, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), says it has inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative to reduce maternal mortality.

The initiative is focused on subsidised health insurance for vulnerable women under the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF).

Kelechi Ohiri, the director-general of NHIA, made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Ohiri said maternal mortality remained a pressing concern, with haemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis, and obstructed labour among the primary causes of death during childbirth.

He said each statistic represented the loss of a mother who might have survived with timely access to healthcare.

According to him, the programme employed a four-step strategy to save lives.

He said that with the four-step strategy under the NHIA Act 2022, the VGF aimed to change the narrative by fully covering health insurance premiums for vulnerable women.

Mr Ohiri listed the strategies to include the identification of complications during labour and delivery and comprehensive postpartum care, including family planning and education.

Others are enrollment in health insurance for ongoing care, and reducing financial burdens caused by out-of-pocket expenses.

“The initiative is being implemented in 11 key health institutions nationwide, selected for their high maternal mortality rates and service volumes.

“The instructions include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto,” Mr Ohiri said.

He said that by targeting high-risk facilities and ensuring their readiness, the programme takes a focused approach to maternal health,

The DG said the VGF initiative promised to save lives and reduce household financial stress by removing out-of-pocket expenses for critical maternal services.

According to him, its holistic approach ensured that mothers received both preventive and emergency care, thereby helping them thrive in their roles as caregivers.

The NHIA director-general called on state governments and healthcare stakeholders to invest in targeted health financing and insurance for women.

(NAN)