As Maternal Deaths Remain High, FG Launches New Incentive Scheme

The Federal Government has launched a new incentive scheme aimed at increasing the use of maternal and newborn healthcare services as Nigeria continues to battle high maternal and neonatal mortality.

The initiative, launched under the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), is designed to encourage pregnant women to register for antenatal care early, deliver in health facilities with skilled birth attendants and return for postnatal care. This focus on maternal health and safe childbirth is critical to reducing preventable deaths during pregnancy and delivery.

172 LGAs targeted across 33 states

The MAMII programme targets 172 Local Government Areas across 33 states, which the Federal Government says account for about 55% of maternal deaths in the country.

The government aims to provide 2.9 million pregnant women with free, timely and comprehensive maternal healthcare while reducing maternal mortality by 30% and neonatal mortality by 20% in targeted areas by 2028.

Speaking at the flag-off in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the initiative addresses both the supply and demand sides of maternal healthcare, including access to health facilities, skilled health workers, essential commodities and affordability.

Nigeria’s maternal health burden remains high

According to figures cited by the Federal Government from the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, a Nigerian woman faces about a one-in-19 lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes, compared with approximately one in 4,900 in developed countries.

Early progress has already been recorded under MAMII. The government says more than 32,000 women and 1,700 newborns have benefited directly from emergency obstetric and neonatal care, while NEMSAS has transported nearly 79,000 beneficiaries to appropriate care.

The new incentives are expected to further encourage women to seek maternal healthcare early and remain connected to essential services throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.