Abuja: The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) commodities valued at N2.9 billion across the nation, an initiative aimed at enhancing maternal and child health outcomes. Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), announced the launch of this intervention at a ceremony in Abuja, emphasizing its focus on addressing preventable deaths.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Aina highlighted that the initiative is a testament to the government’s dedication to providing quality healthcare access to women and children while aiming to reduce maternal mortality rates nationwide. The commodities are intended to deliver impactful interventions at Primary Health Care facilities in selected states, beginning with ten states that bear the highest mortality burden.
Dr Aina noted that the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to protect the lives of women and children. The intervention aims to fill critical healthcare gaps and encourages states to integrate and expand the initiative within their operational frameworks. Initially, the programme targets 80 Local Government Areas with the highest maternal health risks, offering commodities free of charge to mothers and children.
The distribution is organized zonally, with 60 percent allocated to the Northwest, 34 percent to the Northeast, and the remainder shared between North Central and Southeast regions. The initiative also involves strengthening PHC facilities, upgrading infrastructure, and training health workers alongside commodity distribution.
Dr Dayo Adeyanju, National Coordinator of the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII), asserted that the intervention would enhance PHC service delivery and reduce preventable deaths. He emphasized the importance of MNH, promoting collaboration among national, state, and local health authorities, with support from development partners. Dr Adeyanju commended the Federal Government’s efforts and urged state governments to allocate resources and integrate MNH programmes into their annual plans for sustainability.
Dr Mary Brantwo, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), reaffirmed WHO’s support for Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, stressing the importance of annual maternal health data tracking to measure progress. Representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Gates Foundation also pledged their continued support, applauding the government’s initiatives to improve maternal health across the country.
The distributed items include delivery packs, antenatal drugs, supplements, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, family planning materials, and essential medicines for maternal and neonatal care.