FG steps up health investments to curb maternal, child mortality

The Federal Government has intensified coordinated measures aimed at significantly reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths across the country. Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, disclosed this on Tuesday at the agency’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja. According to him, the renewed drive aligns with President Bola […]

The Federal Government has intensified coordinated measures aimed at significantly reducing maternal, newborn, and child deaths across the country.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, disclosed this on Tuesday at the agency’s quarterly media briefing in Abuja.

According to him, the renewed drive aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to prioritise investments in maternal and child health.

Aina noted that despite ongoing interventions, Nigeria’s maternal and child mortality figures remain worrying. The 2025 Nigeria Health Statistics Report, released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, shows that an estimated 20,811 maternal, neonatal, and under-five deaths were recorded between January and September 2025.

He described the numbers as “unacceptably high,” but assured that the administration is committed to reversing the trend.

“President Bola Tinubu has prioritised more investment in maternal and child health, and this will help to reduce maternal and child mortality,” he said.

Aina highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including direct funding to primary healthcare centres, improved access to essential commodities, and the recruitment of additional community health workers. According to him, these measures are strategically tailored to tackle the leading causes of maternal, newborn, and child deaths.

He added that community health workers are now being deployed to households to identify pregnant women early and link them to nearby health facilities for timely, skilled care.

“Everything we are doing is geared towards addressing the top causes of maternal, newborn, and child deaths, and ultimately reducing mortality,” he said.

Aina further noted that the agency is expanding beyond commodity-focused interventions to embrace broader, non-commodity strategies that strengthen primary healthcare delivery nationwide.

Also speaking, the Director of Community Health Services, Dr. Nana Abubakar, underscored the role of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), launched in 2024, as a key driver in the government’s response.

She explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s sector-wide approach, national health priorities, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This has been implemented in a coordinated manner to improve maternal, newborn, and child health services and reduce deaths across 172 Local Government Areas,” she said.

According to Abubakar, the targeted LGAs, spread across 33 states, account for more than half of the maternal deaths currently recorded nationwide.

“MAMII’s interventions are comprehensive and multifaceted. They are designed to address the delays that contribute significantly to maternal and newborn deaths in the country,” she added.