The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has launched the neonatal component of its Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) Programme in Kano State, as part of efforts to expand health services to vulnerable populations.

The initiative was formally flagged off with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NHIA and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, represented by the Director of Informal Sector, Dr. Sikiru Salaudeen, said the pilot phase is already operational in four facilities in Lagos, with AKTH and three other Kano hospitals selected for implementation.
Salaudeen disclosed that more than 200 facilities nationwide are currently implementing the maternal component of the programme, with over 14,000 women treated — 40 percent of them from Kano.

He noted that the neonatal component builds on this success, covering conditions such as birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, jaundice, and acute surgical emergencies.
For transparency, NHIA has engaged independent external verifiers to provide oversight.

Prof. Abdurahman Suwaid, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at AKTH, who represented the Chief Medical Director, revealed that 972 women have been treated under the programme at the facility, describing AKTH as the largest NHIA beneficiary hub in the country.

According to a statement signed by NHIA’s Acting Director of Media and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ononokpono, the Authority also signed MoUs with Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, and Khalifah Sheikh Isiyaka Rabiu Paediatric Hospital, under the supervision of Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf.