Nigerian Government Invests Over N87 Million to Support 2,819 Pregnant Women

The Nigerian government spent over N87 million to assist 2,819 women through the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) program, which is a part of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.

The CEmONC program focuses on reducing maternal and newborn deaths by offering financial support for essential treatments. A press release from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare stated that the initiative targets the five main causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria: bleeding, preeclampsia, infection, complications after abortion, and blocked labor.

The program started in August 2024 with four healthcare facilities in Kano and Akwa Ibom states and was expanded to seven more facilities in Bauchi, Sokoto, Borno, and Kebbi states by December, Punch reported.

According to the health ministry's data, 2,819 women used the CEmONC program at pilot facilities, and 11 referral facilities began submitting claims and receiving payments after verification. The ministry engaged 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a focus on underserved areas based on the data provided.

The data shows that 887 claims were submitted, 706 were verified, and 663 were paid, with 169 still being verified. The ministry also signed agreements with 12 tertiary institutions, and 31 more facilities are in the process of joining.

Furthermore, 19 more agreements are being worked on. A total of 42 referral facilities are now engaged across all regions. In 2020, the maternal mortality ratio in Africa was 531 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Some countries with very high maternal mortality rates include South Sudan with 1,223 deaths, Chad with 1,063 deaths, and Nigeria with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Recently, the Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Pate announced that the federal government is upgrading 774 CEmONC centres. The aim is to remove financial barriers to emergency obstetric care, like cesarean sections, particularly in underserved areas.

The government is also collaborating with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to provide free services for women and children at these centers, helping to reduce maternal mortality. This initiative will enable women to deliver safely, care for their children, and contribute to the country's growth.