The Nigerian government has made significant strides in its efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths by improving access to emergency healthcare. Under its emergency obstetric care programme, the government has provided 80,906 free caesarean sections, alongside nearly 9,100 newborn services and 6,059 repairs for vesicovaginal fistula. This programme, announced two years ago, aims to address the high cost of caesarean sections, which has long been a major barrier preventing many women from accessing critical care during childbirth.
According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, nearly 100,000 free emergency obstetric and newborn healthcare services have been delivered since the programme's inception. He disclosed this information at the 2026 Nigeria Health Sector Joint Annual Review in Abuja. The programme has resulted in a 22% reduction in deaths from obstetric emergencies in participating facilities, which handle among the highest-risk maternal cases.
The government has also strengthened emergency obstetric and newborn healthcare services by providing equipment to over 300 secondary healthcare facilities and more than 500 primary healthcare centres. These facilities have been equipped to provide comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, while primary healthcare centres have been supported to deliver basic emergency services. Mr Pate emphasized that facilities, staff, and referral services must work together to reduce preventable deaths.
The Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative has also made significant progress, mapping and linking 750,000 pregnant women to functional health facilities. Emergency transport services operate in 171 local government areas, transporting 104,566 women and newborns. Additionally, 1,053 transport assets and 9,050 community drivers have transported 168,571 patients across the wider referral network.
The free caesarean section programme was initially piloted in four healthcare facilities in Kano and Akwa Ibom states before expanding to other locations. By April 2025, over 4,000 women had benefited from the programme. The National Health Insurance Authority coordinates payments for eligible services, which are provided in federal, state, private, and faith-based hospitals.
Despite reported improvements, maternal and newborn deaths remain major public health concerns in Nigeria. The National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach Coordination Office, Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, identified shortages of skilled health workers and gaps in Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services as challenges affecting healthcare delivery. He stressed the need to improve the deployment and retention of skilled health workers.
The 2026 Joint Annual Review, held under the theme "Make the Data Count," brings together federal and state government officials, development partners, and other stakeholders to assess progress under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. The initiative aims to improve coordination, financing, and accountability in healthcare delivery, ultimately reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has provided 80,906 free caesarean sections under its emergency obstetric care programme.
- The programme has resulted in a 22% reduction in deaths from obstetric emergencies in participating facilities.
- The government has strengthened emergency obstetric and newborn healthcare services by providing equipment to over 800 healthcare facilities.
