The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) of Nigeria has reported that approximately 90,000 women have benefited from its emergency obstetric care programme over the past 18 months. This disclosure was made by the Director-General of the NHIA, Kelechi Ohiri, at the 2026 Future of Health Conference organised by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja. The conference, themed “From Innovation to Impact: The Future of Health is Now”, aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss scaling up effective health innovations and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The emergency obstetric care programme was designed to prevent women experiencing complications during childbirth from being denied or delayed treatment due to financial constraints. The initiative covers accredited hospitals across all states, with additional facilities being enrolled. According to Mr Ohiri, about 300 hospitals across the country, fully accredited, are participating in the programme, with more being added daily. This ensures that any woman with a complication in childbirth can receive treatment without being asked for payment.
The intervention was developed after the government recognised that it could not wait until every Nigerian was covered by health insurance before addressing preventable maternal deaths. The programme is one of the approaches adopted by the government to address specific gaps in healthcare delivery while broader health insurance coverage is being expanded. Mr Ohiri noted that the intervention was necessary because women experiencing complications during childbirth could face dangerous delays when hospitals request deposits and their families struggle to raise the money.
In addition to the emergency obstetric care programme, the NHIA has also financed the treatment of approximately 6,000 women with obstetric fistula. Obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum that can develop following prolonged or obstructed labour. The condition can cause persistent leakage of urine or faeces and expose affected women to stigma and social exclusion. The NHIA's intervention has helped women access treatment and regain their dignity.
The Future of Health Conference is Nigeria Health Watch’s flagship annual gathering, established in 2015 to bring together stakeholders to discuss policies, partnerships and innovations capable of improving healthcare in Nigeria. This year's programme includes 10 speakers, four innovation showcases and three side events designed to encourage collaboration among policymakers, innovators, investors and development partners. The discussions aim to identify practical ways to expand effective healthcare interventions, strengthen local capacity and improve access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communications and advocacy organisation that promotes evidence-informed decision-making and policy action to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. The organisation's efforts focus on promoting healthcare innovations, improving healthcare delivery, and addressing specific gaps in the healthcare system. The conference provides a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, expertise, and experiences in improving healthcare in Nigeria.
The NHIA's emergency obstetric care programme and fistula treatment intervention demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing preventable maternal deaths and improving healthcare outcomes in Nigeria. The programmes have helped to reduce the financial burden on women and their families, ensuring that they receive timely and quality healthcare. The NHIA's efforts are expected to continue improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, with a focus on expanding effective healthcare interventions and strengthening local capacity.
Key points
- The NHIA's emergency obstetric care programme has benefited 90,000 women over the past 18 months.
- The programme covers accredited hospitals across all states, with about 300 hospitals participating.
- The NHIA has also financed the treatment of approximately 6,000 women with obstetric fistula.
