The Federal Government has joined forces with the Lagos State Government to fight maternal mortality and newborn deaths. This teamwork is part of a new plan called the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, or MAMII. The main goal is to help mothers and babies stay safe during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth.
What MAMII Is All About
The MAMII project is led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It focuses on improving maternal mortality care in Nigeria by reaching communities directly. The plan is to make sure every pregnant woman gets full support from health workers from the start of her pregnancy until after delivery.
Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, the Team Lead of MAMII, said Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate is worrying. He shared that Nigeria contributes almost 30 percent of global maternal deaths, which means too many mothers are dying from preventable causes.
He explained that President Bola Tinubu’s government is determined to change this. The goal is to make sure every mother and every child in Nigeria gets the care they need to survive and live healthy lives.
Reducing Maternal Mortality Through Community Action
During the community activation event at Ogba Primary Health Centre in Lagos, Dr. Adeyanju said MAMII will connect each pregnant woman to a care team. This team will give life-saving help and monitor her health until her baby is safely delivered.
The plan also includes free emergency transport for pregnant women, better-equipped Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and hospitals ready to handle Caesarean sections and other urgent care needs. These steps are designed to lower maternal mortality and keep both mothers and babies safe.
Dr. Adeyanju added that the government has already identified 172 local government areas in 33 states with the highest rates of maternal mortality. These areas will receive special attention, including better hospitals, transport systems, and trained workers.
Lagos Takes Intentional Steps Against Maternal Mortality
Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, Director of Health Care Planning, Research, and Statistics for Lagos State, said Lagos is intentional about fighting maternal mortality. She explained that the community activation event followed a workshop where experts and leaders discussed the main causes of maternal deaths and created an action plan to solve them.
“We are deliberate about saving lives. No woman should die while giving life,” she said.
Dr. Tawak Oluwakemi Folashade, Medical Officer of Health for Ikeja Local Government, said the MAMII programme gives hope to mothers. She encouraged all women to give birth at hospitals and PHCs instead of at home.
“No woman in Lagos should deliver at home or with untrained attendants,” she said. “Safe and free care is available in both PHCs and General Hospitals.”
The Vice Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Abisola Omisore, also praised the Lagos State Government and urged mothers to use the health services provided to prevent maternal mortality.
Working Together to End Maternal Mortality
Stakeholders at the event praised the joint effort by the federal and state governments. They believe this partnership will go a long way in reducing maternal mortality and saving the lives of mothers and newborns in Lagos and across Nigeria.
Dr. Adeyanju said more than 3,000 PHCs have been improved across the country, and more are being built to make sure there is one working PHC in every ward. A special task force has also been created to check progress and make sure results are achieved.
Conclusion
Maternal mortality remains a big problem in Nigeria, but the MAMII project is a strong step in the right direction. With teamwork, awareness, and better health services, Nigeria can make childbirth safer for every woman. To learn more about gender issues and health advocacy, visit genderpedia.ng/shop.
