Initiative targets high-burden communities across 33 states, with private sector and development partners committing $65 million
The Federal Government has announced a $65 million (approximately N89.9 billion) private-sector intervention aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths across Nigeria, beginning with 172 high-burden Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 33 states.
The intervention, known as the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) Private Sector Compact, is designed to mobilise private-sector organisations, non-governmental organisations and philanthropic institutions to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare delivery.
The initiative is supported by the World Economic Forum, Gates Foundation, MTN Foundation and MSD for Mothers, among other partners.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the initiative alongside state commissioners for health, development partners and private-sector representatives.
According to the Federal Government, the Compact provides a coordinated framework for directing financial resources, technical expertise, healthcare products and supply-chain support towards identified gaps in maternal and newborn health services.
The intervention is currently being implemented in several states, including Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Anambra and Ondo.
Speaking at the announcement, Pate described reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths as a national priority and a key measure of progress in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths is a national priority and a fundamental measure of the progress we are making in strengthening Nigeria’s health system,” he said.
He added that the initiative would bring federal and state governments, private-sector organisations and development partners together under a common national plan, with particular attention to the 172 LGAs experiencing the highest maternal mortality burden.
Nigeria records an estimated 40,000 maternal deaths and approximately 300,000 newborn deaths annually, translating to more than 100 women and 800 newborns dying each day.
Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director of the Gates Foundation, said the MAMII Compact would help coordinate public, private and philanthropic efforts towards addressing the challenge.
Organisations that have indicated interest in supporting the initiative include UNICEF, Bayer, DSM-firmenich, Nestlé Nutrition Institute and Roche, alongside seven private-sector and non-governmental organisations that submitted Letters of Intent. DP World also expressed support.
As part of the programme, the minister unveiled the MAMII Private Sector Compact Platform, designed to track implementation coverage, partner contributions and outstanding service delivery gaps.
The government also introduced the TEAM OB/NEO training curriculum and implementation framework, a government-led approach aimed at strengthening emergency obstetric and newborn care.
Five national policies and guidelines were also unveiled, including the Obstetric Fistula Framework and the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy.
The Federal Government said the next phase would involve agreeing on implementation milestones, deploying resources to communities with the greatest needs and monitoring progress through measurable maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The initiative is anchored in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, with the objective of improving healthcare access and reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns.
Source: TrackNews