Maternal health rights protect pregnant women. These rights make sure you get safe medical care. In Nigeria, the National Health Insurance Authority protects these rights for all mothers. You should never die during pregnancy because you lack money or access to doctors.
Maternity health rights mean you deserve good healthcare when pregnant. The Nigerian government created programs to protect mothers. When you know your rights, you ask for the care you deserve.
Gender researchers studying maternal health find detailed information at genderpedia.ng/shop to support their work.
Seven Essential Maternity Health Rights You Must Know
1. Right to Free Pregnancy Check-Ups
You get free antenatal care when enrolled. Antenatal care means medical visits during pregnancy. People can visit Primary Health Care centers or hospitals at no cost.
Doctors perform tests during these visits. Blood tests check for health problems. Urine tests look for infections. Ultrasound scans show how your baby grows. You pay nothing for these tests.
You receive medicines during pregnancy visits. Healthcare providers give advice about staying healthy. Early care prevents problems later.
2. Right to Safe Delivery Care
You get coverage for childbirth. Normal delivery and Caesarean Section costs are covered. A Caesarean Section is a surgical procedure to deliver your baby safely.
The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative provides free C-sections for eligible women. This program saves your life when complications happen during delivery. Emergency care is available when you need urgent help.
All delivery services happen at approved hospitals. These facilities have trained staff who know how to help you safely deliver your baby.
3. Right to Treatment for Pregnancy Complications
Maternity health rights protect you when complications arise. Complications are medical problems during pregnancy.
Some pregnancy complications include:
- Eclampsia, which causes dangerous seizures
- Hemorrhage, which means heavy bleeding
- Sepsis, which is a serious infection
When these problems happen, insurance covers all treatment. If you need special care, doctors send you to bigger hospitals. General Hospitals provide advanced treatment. You pay no extra money for emergency care.
4. Right to Care After Giving Birth
Your rights continue after your baby is born. Postnatal care refers to medical check-ups conducted after delivery. You and your newborn baby receive these check-ups.
Doctors examine you to make sure you heal properly. They check for health problems after birth. Your baby gets regular check-ups during the first three months of life.
These visits help catch problems early. Early treatment prevents small issues from becoming serious.
5. Right to Emergency Medical Services
You get free emergency services when pregnant. Under the NHIA and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, emergency care costs nothing. This includes immediate first aid when you need urgent help.
Necessary medicines are free for you. The National Essential Drug List includes all needed medications. Hospitals must provide these drugs to you without charging money.
Emergency services are available day and night. No pregnant woman gets turned away because she lacks money. This protection saves lives during medical emergencies.
6. Right to Family Planning Services
Your maternity health rights include access to family planning. Family planning helps you decide when to have children. Spacing births means waiting time between having babies.
Family planning services help prevent unwanted pregnancies. They also reduce health risks for you. When you plan your family, you stay healthier.
Healthcare providers offer information about different family planning methods. You choose the method that works best for you.
7. Right to Respectful Medical Treatment
You deserve respectful and quality care. Maternity health rights protect you from discrimination. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly.
The Safe Motherhood Strategy from 2024 to 2028 focuses on dignity in care. Dignity means treating people with respect and kindness. Healthcare workers must provide good care to all mothers equally.
You should receive safe medical treatment. Quality care means skilled doctors and clean facilities. You should never experience bias or unfair treatment in the healthcare system.
How to Access Your Maternity Health Rights Benefits
The maternal health program helps specific groups of people. You qualify if you are pregnant. Children under five years old also receive special healthcare benefits.
The government pays special attention to poor and vulnerable groups. Vulnerable means people who need extra help and protection. These families might not have the money to pay for healthcare.
All eligible mothers enroll in the program. Enrollment means signing up to receive benefits. Once enrolled, you use your maternity health rights at approved facilities.
Where to Receive Care
Maternity health rights services are available at specific healthcare facilities. These locations are called empanelled facilities. Empanelled means officially approved to provide services.
Primary Health Care centers in communities offer maternity services. General Hospitals, part of the NHIA network, also provide care. Only designated facilities offer these free services.
You should check if your local health center is part of the network. Healthcare workers help you find approved facilities nearby. Going to empanelled facilities ensures you receive your full benefits.
Government Programs Supporting You
The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative is a special government program. This initiative works to reduce deaths during pregnancy and childbirth. The government wants to decrease maternal deaths by 17 percent or more.
The program is expanding to reach more mothers across Nigeria. More healthcare facilities are joining the network. Training more healthcare workers helps improve the quality of care.
These efforts strengthen maternity health rights for all Nigerian women.
Why Maternity Health Rights Matter
Maternity health rights exist to save lives. When you lack money for healthcare, you might die during pregnancy or childbirth. These deaths are preventable with proper medical care.
Free healthcare removes the money barrier. You visit doctors without worrying about payment. Early treatment prevents small problems from becoming deadly.
Countries with strong maternity health rights have fewer maternal deaths. Nigeria is working to join these countries. Your life is valuable and worth protecting.
Supporting Healthy Babies
When you receive good healthcare, babies are healthier too. Maternity health rights protect you and your children. Healthy mothers care better for their newborn babies.
Antenatal care helps babies develop properly. Doctors detect problems before birth. Treatment during pregnancy helps babies be born healthy and strong.
Postnatal care continues this protection after birth. Regular check-ups catch infant health problems early. Healthy babies grow into healthy children.
Strengthening Communities
Maternity health rights benefit entire communities. When mothers survive childbirth, families stay together. Children need their mothers to grow and thrive.
Healthy mothers work and contribute to society. They care for their families and support their communities. Protecting maternal health creates stronger communities.
Communities with healthy mothers are more prosperous. Families have better opportunities when mothers survive and stay healthy.
Important Information for Gender Researchers
Researchers studying gender and maternal health have access to comprehensive data and resources. Understanding maternity health rights helps researchers identify gaps in healthcare access. This knowledge supports advocacy for better maternal health policies.
Gender researchers examining healthcare equity explore additional materials at genderpedia.ng/shop. These resources provide deeper insights into maternal health challenges and solutions.
Research in this area contributes to improving healthcare systems. When researchers document maternity health rights implementation, they help identify what works. This evidence supports policy improvements that save mothers’ lives.
Final Thoughts
Maternity health rights in Nigeria provide essential protections for pregnant women and new mothers. These rights ensure access to free antenatal care, safe delivery services, emergency treatment, and postnatal support. The National Health Insurance Authority and government initiatives work together to make maternal healthcare accessible and affordable for all Nigerian women, especially those in vulnerable communities.
Understanding and claiming these maternity health rights saves lives and improves health outcomes for mothers and babies. Gender researchers, healthcare advocates, and community members find additional resources and information to support maternal health research and advocacy at genderpedia.ng/shop.
