ABUJA – In a bid to prioritize the well-being of pregnant women and reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates, the Federal Government has announced the launch of a comprehensive safe maternity scheme.
The initiative aims to benefit at least seven million pregnant women and facilitate six million newborn births annually.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during the unveiling of the Labour Care Guide and the Guidelines for Community Use of Misoprostol. The event, held in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 Safe Motherhood Day, highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving safe motherhood across the country.
Safe motherhood is a vital strategy that focuses on enhancing life expectancy and improving the quality of life for Nigerian women. The scheme emphasizes the provision of quality maternal and newborn services, including supervised pregnancies, skilled attendance at birth, and post-delivery care at all levels of the healthcare system. These measures are aimed at reducing maternal mortality and morbidity rates.
This year’s Safe Motherhood Day, themed “Investing in maternal health for a sustainable future,” underscores the importance of dedicating resources to maternal health. Prof Pate emphasized that safe motherhood can be achieved through comprehensive antenatal care, skilled facility-based deliveries, and integrated postnatal care. Additionally, he stressed the significance of addressing the underlying causes of maternal and newborn mortality while ensuring the protection and support of every newborn.
Prof Pate highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to healthcare, citing the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative unveiled in December. The initiative, which involves a compact between the 36 Governors, development partners, and the federal government, aims to improve population health outcomes in a comprehensive manner. As part of this effort, an allocation of 25 billion Naira has been approved from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to enhance access to quality healthcare, including emergency obstetric care and necessary commodities for safe delivery.
The government’s objective is to reach a minimum of seven million pregnant women annually through these services, with a target of at least six million newborn births. The minister emphasized the importance of ensuring access to skilled birth attendants, facility-based delivery, and screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy. The affordability of care is also a priority, with the Vulnerable Group Fund at the National Health Insurance Authority providing cover to reduce barriers to care for women.
Furthermore, the minister launched the calibrated drape, which plays a critical role in reducing postpartum hemorrhage by accurately measuring blood loss during childbirth. The introduction of this tool into maternal health protocols enhances monitoring and management of hemorrhage, ultimately saving the lives of mothers and their children. The government plans to support the local production of calibrated drapes and magnesium sulfate as a life-saving strategy, ensuring that each pregnant woman has access to this essential resource.
Dr Gifty Addico, the United Nations Population Fund Resident Representative in Nigeria, expressed concern over the country’s high maternal mortality ratios. She highlighted the importance of delivering babies in healthcare facilities with skilled attendants and appropriate equipment. However, she acknowledged that many women and girls in Nigeria face challenges in accessing quality maternal and newborn care, particularly among underserved and vulnerable populations.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, emphasized that the launch of these guidelines would address issues such as postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and unsafe abortions, thereby improving maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.
With the implementation of the safe maternity scheme and the commitment of key stakeholders, the Federal Government aims to make substantial progress in ensuring the well-being of pregnant women and reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates across the country.
