Maternal.mortality: FG approves free caesarean sections for women
Towards addressing maternal mortality challenge, the Federal Government (FG) has approved free caesarean section for Nigerian women in need of such medical attention.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, who announced this on Thursday, said that the initiative was a portrayal of government’s commitment to reducing maternal and newborn mortality across Nigeria.
The minister made the announcement during the ongoing three-day Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja, during the launch of the “Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.”
A tweet posted on the official X handle of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said: “In a powerful move, Coordinating Minister @muhammadpate just announced that Caesarean Sections for all Nigerian women who need them will now be FREE!”
“No woman should lose her life simply because she can’t afford a C-section,” Pate said.
The objective of the Joint Annual Health Review is to conduct a thorough assessment of Nigeria’s healthcare system, identifying challenges and implementing impactful solutions to ease both the physical and financial burdens on Nigerians.
On his X handle, the minister noted that a significant feature of the initiative was the provision of free caesarean sections for poor and vulnerable women who meet eligibility criteria which cover services provided through both public and private facilities empanelled by the National Health Insurance Authority.
“By removing financial barriers to this life-saving procedure, we ensure that no woman in need is denied critical care due to cost. Maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with 172 local governments contributing to over 50 per cent of maternal deaths,” Pate said.
“By focusing resources on these high-burden areas, MAMII will address the greatest areas of need. The NHIA, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and state health insurance agencies, will manage the reimbursement process, ensuring that providers across both sectors can deliver these essential services sustainably.”
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