March 10, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has launched the Ogun State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative to tackle maternal and infant deaths through innovative and sustainable healthcare interventions.
Speaking at the launch in Abeokuta, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, said President Bola Tinubu introduced the initiative to address maternal and newborn mortality across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Pate noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s $1 billion health sector funding program aimed at incentivizing improved healthcare delivery at the federal, state, and local levels.
He expressed confidence that with the support of key stakeholders, MAMAII would help significantly reduce deaths among pregnant women and newborns.
He revealed that the Federal Government is upgrading healthcare facilities in all 774 local government areas to serve as referral centers under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
These facilities will provide free treatment for emergency obstetric complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
The minister also disclosed that the government will focus on 172 high-risk local governments, which account for over 50% of maternal deaths in the country, including areas in Ogun State.
“This initiative is crucial for the present and future of our country. It is about taking care of our mothers and newborn children, who will grow to become responsible adults and contribute to national development,” Pate said.
He further emphasised that the initiative is a collective effort under the President’s directive and aligns with the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
“The $1 billion facility recently approved for all 36 states will serve as an incentive to achieve better healthcare outcomes. States will receive incentive payments for recruiting healthcare personnel, improving antenatal care coverage, and achieving positive health indicators,” he added.
On his part, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said his administration is leveraging innovation, collaboration, and data-driven strategies to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Abiodun stated that the government has made significant investments in the healthcare sector, allocating 13% of the 2025 budget to health.
He noted that Ogun State’s maternal mortality rate currently stands at 194 per 100,000, compared to the national average of over 500 per 100,000.
“We have strengthened our health financing mechanisms through the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, including formal and informal sector schemes. Notably, the Ibi-Dero conditional cash transfer program provides financial support to vulnerable pregnant women to access quality maternal care,” Abiodun said.
Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, commended the governor for supporting the MAMAII initiative.
She highlighted that the program would have a significant impact in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, particularly in Ota and Ijebu North East local government areas.
Coker added that a five-day co-creation workshop, as part of the initiative, would equip healthcare workers with the skills needed to provide quality maternal and newborn care, ultimately reducing childbirth-related deaths in the state.
