The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced that Cesarean sections (CS) will now be provided free of charge to all Nigerian women who require them.
This major policy shift was revealed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on the second day of the Joint Annual Review (JAR) conference. The initiative is part of the new Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, which aims to tackle Nigeria’s high rates of maternal and neonatal deaths.
Nigeria has some of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates globally, with 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 41 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. Contributing factors include limited access to essential health services and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
Through the MAMII project, the government seeks to address these challenges by expanding access to quality healthcare services, strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) systems, and increasing community involvement in maternal and child health programs. This initiative is expected to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce preventable deaths.
