Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced that Cesarean sections (C-sections) will now be provided free of charge to vulnerable Nigerian women who need them. He made this announcement during the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja, where he also launched the “Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative” aimed at lowering maternal and newborn mortality rates nationwide.
A tweet from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare highlighted the announcement, stating, “In a powerful move, Coordinating Minister @muhammadpate just announced that Cesarean Sections for all Nigerian women who need them will now be FREE!”
Prof. Pate emphasized, “No woman should lose her life simply because she can’t afford a C-section.” The Annual Health Review focused on evaluating Nigeria’s healthcare system, identifying challenges, and creating solutions to reduce both physical and financial barriers to healthcare.
In a post on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account, Pate further explained that the free C-sections are targeted at poor and vulnerable women who meet specific criteria, with services available in both public and private facilities accredited by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Noting that maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, especially in 172 local government areas accounting for over half of maternal deaths, Pate stated that resources would be directed toward these high-risk areas.
The NHIA, along with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and State Health Insurance Agencies, will manage the reimbursement process, ensuring sustainable delivery of these services across public and private sectors. Pate also highlighted the critical role of community health workers, who will help increase demand for maternal care, educate families on antenatal care, and ensure mothers are informed of available healthcare services. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s goal of recruiting an additional 120,000 health workers to support primary care across Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude to development partners for their support, Pate called on stakeholders, including state governors, healthcare leaders, community members, and health workers, to actively contribute to the initiative’s success.
