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Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate, announced on Monday that the Federal Government has approved a $1bn facility to support all 36 states in addressing the challenge of child and maternal mortality in the country.
Pate stated that the Federal Government is also upgrading 774 healthcare facilities nationwide to serve as referral centres capable of providing free treatment for emergency obstetric complications.
The minister disclosed this during the flag-off of the Co-Creation Workshop on the Ogun State Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative, held at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Pate explained that the recently approved $1bn facility aims to incentivise states to achieve significant reductions in child and maternal mortality.
He stated, “As part of our commitment to improving child and maternal health, the coordination office has secured resources from HOPE, a $1bn facility recently approved for all 36 states to drive results.
“Whether it is improving governance, increasing human resources in primary healthcare, or enhancing antenatal care coverage, states will receive incentive payments based on their achievements. This is the structure of the incentive scheme.”
Pate emphasised the importance of the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative, launched nationally last week by President Bola Tinubu. He described it as crucial for both the present and future of the country, as it focuses on the well-being of mothers and newborns, who will ultimately contribute to national development.
The minister called for strong collaboration between the federal and state governments to effectively tackle child and maternal mortality.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s diversity, Pate noted that solutions designed in Abuja might not fully address the problem at the state level. He urged state governments to consider their unique circumstances when implementing programmes to reduce child and maternal mortality.
He further highlighted the importance of addressing multi-sectoral factors such as maternal education, nutrition, maternal anaemia, and efficient emergency transport systems, including the availability of ambulances, to reduce the child and maternal mortality rate.
Speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the launch of MAMII as a testament to the state’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Governor Abiodun revealed that two local government areas in the state, Ijebu North East and Ado-Odo/Ota, have maternal mortality rates above the national average of 194 deaths per 100,000 births.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maternal and child health, stating that his government has increased the health sector’s budget allocation to 13%, employed over 800 healthcare professionals to strengthen manpower, and provided 80 tricycles for emergency transport services in rural areas.
As Ogun State begins implementing MAMII, Abiodun called on all stakeholders to leverage innovation, collaboration, and data-driven strategies to significantly reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, described the MAMII Co-Creation Workshop as a unique opportunity to engage, strategise, and align efforts with evidence-based solutions to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
Coker urged participants to approach the discussions with an open mind, a spirit of innovation, and a commitment to actionable solutions that will help save the lives of mothers and their newborns.
