From Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has provided free health insurance and delivery kits to some pregnant women in Abuja in commemoration of the 2025 World Health Day.
Also, the Federal Government has launched the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) at the Gwarimpa General Hospital Abuja, a comprehensive intervention designed to ensure that no woman dies while giving life.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, stated that the initiative was a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive that “No woman should die because of childbirth adding that the programme as a comprehensive effort aimed at ensuring every pregnancy resulted in a healthy baby and a healthy mother.
The minister, who was represented by the National Coordinator of MAMII project at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, lamented that Nigeria contributes about 20 per cent of global maternal deaths, adding that MAMII is a practical response to Nigeria’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
He said, “MAMII is not just a slogan,” 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.”
The minister noted that the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 66 teaching hospitals across the country to offer free cesarean sections to vulnerable pregnant women, adding that efforts are being made to expand services to general hospitals, which will help decentralise access and reduce the burden on tertiary care centres.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said that maternal health is critical to national development, but regretted that a lot of women die while giving birth.
She announced that every pregnant woman in the FCT is entitled to free health insurance and urged the pregnant women to visit the health insurance desk in the hospital to get enrolled.
“We are determined to reverse the grim statistics. Our Renewed Hope Initiative is committed to ensuring safe deliveries, vaccinations, and postnatal care for every woman and child.”
WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, described MAMII as a game-changer. “With interventions like this, we are hopeful every child will be born healthy and will thrive,” he stated
Commending the free insurance provision, he pledged WHO’s support in tracking its implementation. “I will personally monitor to ensure it is truly free and women benefit from it,” Mulombo assured.
The launch not only marked World Health Day but also ushered in what stakeholders called a new era of “Healthy Beginnings and Hopeful Futures” for Nigeria’s mothers and children.
