The Federal Government has expanded its maternal and neonatal health intervention programme to 32 states as part of intensified efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths across Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII), is designed to address the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality through improved healthcare delivery, emergency response systems, and strengthened referral networks.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja to mark the 2026 Safe Motherhood Day, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that the programme has recorded nearly 79,000 emergency medical transports nationwide.
According to him, the emergency response system under the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS) has been significantly strengthened, with 612 ambulances deployed across 340 local government areas to improve rapid response and referral services.
The minister noted that about 78,962 beneficiaries have been transported so far, with pregnant women accounting for approximately 60 percent of the cases, underscoring the programme’s impact on maternal health outcomes.
He further revealed that over 32,000 women and 1,700 newborns have directly benefited from emergency obstetric and neonatal care services provided under the initiative, which is currently being implemented in more than 250 health facilities nationwide.
In addition, the Federal Government is expanding financial access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care through the National Health Insurance Authority, ensuring that cost does not prevent pregnant women from receiving life-saving care.
The government also reported improvements in maternal healthcare indicators, including increased antenatal care attendance and the identification of previously unregistered pregnant women, who are now being linked to healthcare services.
Despite the progress, authorities acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring timely, high-quality, and equitable care for all women. The 2026 theme, “Closing the Gap: From Coverage to Quality Care for Every Mother,” emphasizes the need to move beyond access to delivering effective and life-saving healthcare services nationwide.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments, healthcare workers, development partners, and communities to sustain and scale up interventions aimed at safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns across the country.
