In a landmark move, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced free Cesarean sections (C-sections) for Nigerian women, aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality nationwide.
The announcement came during the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja as part of the newly launched Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
The initiative promises free C-sections for eligible, financially vulnerable women, covering both public and private healthcare facilities through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
“No woman should lose her life simply because she can’t afford a C-section,” Pate stated.
MAMII aims to address maternal mortality in high-burden areas, with 172 local government areas accounting for over half of maternal deaths in Nigeria.
It includes community health workers to boost demand for maternal care services, antenatal education, and additional healthcare support, complementing President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to recruit 120,000 new health workers.
Prof. Pate highlighted the collaboration with development partners and urged stakeholders, including state governors and health leaders, to support this initiative, emphasising the goal of making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all Nigerian mothers and children.
