Abuja has launched a new initiative, the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, to provide free emergency Caesarean sections to low-income women in the country. The initiative aims to lower the country’s high maternal mortality rate, which stands as the fourth-highest in the world with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 births. Many women, particularly in the country’s rural areas, cannot afford the procedure, often costing around $36, prompting the government to intervene with this initiative. According to Health Minister Muhammad Pate, the initiative will eliminate financial barriers, making life-saving C-sections accessible to vulnerable women in public hospitals. Eligibility is tied to enrollment in Nigeria’s public health insurance scheme, with social welfare units assessing financial need. This move has received support from international bodies like the World Bank and WHO. However, local advocates urge the government to expand coverage to include free drugs and ultrasounds for comprehensive maternal care.
SOURCE: BBC
