Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths, with the launch of groundbreaking policy documents and renewed investments under the Health Sector Renewal Initiative. The declaration came during the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day Commemoration held in Abuja, themed “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality.”
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare declared that safe motherhood is not just a healthcare goal but a “moral imperative” and a critical measure of Nigeria’s development.
“No woman should die giving life, and no child should be born into preventable suffering,” the Minister emphasized. “Together, we must make childbirth safe for every Nigerian woman, regardless of her location, income, or background.”
In what was described as a turning point for maternal and newborn care in Nigeria, the Minister officially launched six major national documents to guide interventions and elevate the quality of maternal healthcare. These include:
The Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024–2028): a national roadmap for coordinated action and commodity quantification.
Guidelines for the Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH).
Guidelines on Preeclampsia and Eclampsia.
Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals.
RMNCAEH+N Quality of Care Strategy.
National Training Manual on Obstetric Fistula Management.
“These documents reflect our promise to not just respond to emergencies, but to build a resilient, people-centered health system,” the Minister stated, adding that the reforms are already showing impact across several states.
Highlighting the scope of the government’s ongoing efforts, the Minister listed key interventions such as:
Expansion of skilled birth attendants in underserved areas.
Scale-up of free emergency obstetric care for indigent women.
Strengthening of the national emergency ambulance system (now operational in 23 states).
A free fistula repair and transportation program in 15 facilities nationwide.
Unprecedented expansion of health insurance to cover vulnerable populations.
“Safe motherhood is no longer a slogan. It is a measurable, funded, and achievable reality,” the Minister declared.
The event also featured a welcome address by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom mni, represented by Dr. Binyere Ukaire, Director, Family Health Council who praised the ongoing reforms and urged all stakeholders to deepen their support.
“Maternal mortality is not just a statistic. It is a personal tragedy for families and a setback for our national development,” she said. “The road ahead is long, but the destination is clear: a Nigeria where no woman dies while giving life.”
She lauded the impact of the Health Sector Renewal Initiative (HSRII) and called for greater collaboration across all levels of government, development partners, and the media.
Both the Minister and Permanent Secretary emphasized the importance of innovation, accountability, and collective action—urging healthcare workers, community leaders, traditional rulers, and private sector allies to join in delivering safer births nationwide.
“This must not just be a commemoration, but a call to action,” the Minister concluded. “Let us transform motherhood in Nigeria from a risk into a celebration.”
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