Stakeholders in the health sector have hailed the federal government’s free caesarean section initiative for pregnant women, describing it as a critical move toward reducing preventable maternal deaths.

The stakeholders commended the programme while speaking with the journalists on Sunday in Abuja.

The federal government unveiled a nationwide free C-section initiative aimed at reducing Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rates.

Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced the initiative at the three-day Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR), which ended on Friday.

According to him, under the initiative, C-sections and essential maternal care would be provided free of charge to eligible women across the country, targeting areas with the highest maternal deaths.

Ejike Oji, a maternal and reproductive health advocate, emphasised the need for a holistic approach to ensure the programme’s success.

Mr Oji said with free C-sections, women could receive timely surgical intervention without financial strain.

He stressed that public education and community engagement were essential to reach these women before emergencies occurred.

Mr Oji called for community awareness campaigns to inform women about the availability of free C-sections, as well as the strengthening of referral systems to facilitate timely transfers from rural PHCs to better-equipped facilities.

“This programme will only succeed if the referral system is efficient, linking primary centres to secondary and tertiary facilities,” he noted.

On his part, the managing director of the Society for Family Health, Omokhudu Idogho, said the policy was transformative and removed financial barriers.

He, however, said it was more critical to get women into facilities in the first place through antenatal care (ANC) and community outreach.

According to him, without access to comprehensive ANC, the healthcare system cannot anticipate complications requiring C-sections.

To bridge the gaps, he suggested that healthcare organisations continue working within communities to remove barriers, especially in rural areas.

He highlighted the importance of addressing delays in recognising danger signs, reaching health facilities, and receiving care at facilities as the “three delays” that lead to maternal mortality.

Mr Idogho suggested a voucher system to allow women to access C-sections at private facilities if needed.

“Incorporating the private sector is essential to expand reach. If we address both public and private sectors effectively, we can see up to a 70 per cent reduction in maternal mortality, transforming maternal health in Nigeria,” he said.

(NAN)