In a bid to reduce maternal mortality rates, the federal government has launched the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII), a national effort designed to reduce deaths among mothers and newborns.

The initiative was officially inaugurated at Gwarinpa General Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday.

Muhammad Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, outlined several provisions of the initiative, including free health insurance for pregnant women, access to free cesarean sections, mama delivery kits, and transportation vouchers.

Mr Pate, represented by Dayo Adeyanju, the bational coordinator of MAMII at the ministry of health, emphasised that the initiative was a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive that “No woman should die as a result of childbirth.”

Mr Pate described the programme as a comprehensive effort aimed at ensuring every pregnancy resulted in a healthy baby and a healthy mother.

According to him, MAMII is a practical response to Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates, with the country contributing about 20 per cent of global maternal deaths.

“MAMII is not just a slogan,” he stated, underscoring the government’s resolve to take urgent action.

“The initiative goes beyond providing services by integrating tracking mechanisms to monitor the progress of every pregnant woman.

“Any maternal death will be analysed to identify and address the cause, whether it stems from delays in transportation, poor facility conditions, or community-level barriers,”he said.

Mr Pate also announced that the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 66 teaching hospitals nationwide to offer free cesarean sections.

“Plans are underway to expand this service to general hospitals, which will help decentralise access and reduce the burden on tertiary care centres.”

Walter Mulombo, WHO country eepresentative to Nigeria, lauded the intervention, describing it as a vital step toward achieving “healthy beginnings and hopeful futures” for Nigerian mothers and children.

He emphasised that interventions like MAMII gave hope that every child would be born healthy and had the opportunity to grow, thrive, and prosper.

Mr Mulombo also pledged WHO’s commitment to monitoring the implementation of the programme, especially the free health insurance announced by Adedolapo Fasawe, the FCT mandate secretary for health services and environment.

Ms Fasawe highlighted the critical role of maternal and child health in Nigeria’s development.

She pointed out that globally, approximately 397 women die for every 100,000 births, and 70 per cent of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria sadly leading that statistic.

Ms Fasawe assured the public that the Renewed Hope Initiative, championed by Mr Tinubu and first lady Oluremi Tinubu, was focused on reversing the trend.

She further assured that every pregnant woman in the FCT was entitled to free health insurance, whether giving birth vaginally or via cesarean section.

She urged pregnant women to collaborate with the government by attending antenatal appointments, choosing safe, facility-based deliveries, and completing postnatal care, including vaccinations for newborns.

(NAN)