KEY POINTS

• Free C-sections are a means of tackling maternal death in Nigeria.
• Concentration on relevant provinces with severe maternal health dilemmas.
• Accessible CHWs help support the maternal care services.

One recent breakthrough in the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to improve maternal health was the decision to offer free surgeries for women requiring caesarean section.

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this while addressing participants of the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja where he unveiled the “Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.”

A life line for maternal health

In an interview Pate said that the intervention seeks to ensure that women who need the surgery cannot afford it.

This program is in support of the maternal mortality as 172 of the local governments are considered to have contributed to more than fifty percent of this deaths.

In addition, as implemented through these areas, the programme targets at minimising preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

Available community support structures

Furthermore, this is where community health workers will have an important involvement in promoting awareness of maternal services and directing families to this care.

Moreover, the newly commenced National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System covers emergencies’ transport with an efficient and timely access to care in the desired areas.

Several development partners in accordance with Nigeria’s goal of improving health equity are in collaboration to achieve this.

The objective of the program involves state leaders and also healthcare workers and the vision entails making maternal and newborn health services available in the future.