To ensure that safe childbirth becomes a national guarantee—not a gamble—the Federal Government has launched six new National Policies and Guidelines aimed at transforming maternal health outcomes across Nigeria.

The newly introduced documents, symbolically launched on the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day in Abuja, are designed to standardize care and improve maternal health services across the country.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, made this known at the event themed ‘Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality.’ He described the development as a critical call to action for all stakeholders.

The new guidelines include:
Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024–2028): A national roadmap for reducing maternal deaths
Guidelines for the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Guidelines
Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals
RMNCAEH+N Quality of Care Strategy
National Training Manual on Obstetric Fistula Management

“These documents reflect our government’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system that anticipates and prevents maternal and newborn emergencies.

No woman should die giving life, and no child should be born into preventable suffering,” the minister said. “Safe Motherhood is not merely a health agenda; it is a moral imperative and a critical measure of our national progress,” the minister added.

He also highlighted major achievements under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, including strengthened primary healthcare delivery, expanded access to skilled birth attendants, free fistula care in 15 centers, the scale-up of free emergency obstetric care (CEmONC), broader health insurance coverage, and the operationalization of emergency medical services across 23 states.

“These reforms are already yielding improved health indicators in several states,” he noted, adding that the government remains resolute in ensuring maternal care reaches the poorest and most vulnerable populations.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom, stressed that Safe Motherhood Day should not only be a moment of reflection but one of action and strengthened partnerships.

“Maternal mortality is not just a statistic; it’s a personal tragedy and a call to strengthen our systems,” she said. “Our slogan, ‘Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies’, reminds us that the health of mothers is the foundation of healthier generations.”

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to delivering respectful, inclusive, and accessible maternal healthcare, especially in underserved rural communities.

Calling on stakeholders—from governors and traditional rulers to community leaders and private sector partners—the Coordinating Minister urged shared responsibility for maternal health.

Nigeria will soon introduce malaria vaccines as part of efforts to reduce its prevalence in the country.

National Coordinator of the
National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Godwin Ntadom revealed this at a media chat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the roll out of the malaria vaccine will begin in Bayelsa and Kebbi States before the end of 2024.

“So far, only Cameroon and Kenya have commenced the use of malaria vaccine. Nigeria will start the use in some states, starting with Kebbi and Bayelsa states and then extend it to other parts of the country”, he said.

The NMEP boss also stated that considering the high burden of malaria in the country, resulting in 31% global death, his office in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, is committed to reducing malaria prevalence to 10% by 2025.

He said, “We have deployed new strategies. First, we provide anti-malaria medicines. We also distribute nets and most recently we have started the seasonal malaria chemo-preventive treatment, especially in the northern parts of the country where malaria is very prevalent. We have also received very good commendations and I must tell you, the mortality in that region has reduced”.

The National Coordinator said though Nigeria has recorded continuous reduction of malaria prevalence, it will continue to work until it is reduced to the barest minimum.

Dr Ntadom urged those with symptoms of fever to seek adequate medical attention from proper diagnosis and treatment within 24 hours. He also charged children and pregnant women to ensure they cover themselves with treated mosquito nets to prevent them from getting malaria.

On his part, the Head of Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization NMEP, Mr Raphael Onyilo emphasized the importance of the media chat, stating that journalists are key to enlightening and educating the citizens on malaria.

According to him, adequate knowledge of the preventive measures and timely dissemination of information are necessary ingredients to enhance journalists’ participation in the programme.

Mr Onyilo urged media houses to design health programmes that will educate Nigerians on the dangers of malaria, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Also speaking, the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of Civil Society in Malaria Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Mrs Lovelyn Agbor-Gabriel advocated a stronger collaboration between the NMEP and the media to achieve positive and effective management of malaria in the country.

She noted that the media as a critical stakeholder should continue to amplify the activities of the NMEP through balanced reportage.

The Nigerian government has commenced enrollment of citizens into the Federal Capital Territory FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), as part of efforts to reduce financial hardship and improve healthcare accessibility for poor and vulnerable groups in the six area councils.

Speaking at the sensitization programme organised for Abaji, Kuje, Kwali and Gwagwalada area councils, the Director FHIS, Dr. Mohammed Danfulani said the enrollment is at a subsidized rate of N13,500 annually for individuals seeking healthcare services in all health facilities across the country.

He also noted that the poor and vulnerable will be enrolled for free in the FHIS.

According to him, “Whether you have money or not, you are going to be enrolled in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme. That is the decision of the Federal government and this is going on in all of the states of the federation.

“If you are poor and vulnerable then we are going to enroll you for free. Pregnant women and children under five, we are going to enroll them. People with disabilities, children in orphanages, all of them will be enrolled under the poor and vulnerable groups.

“To determine the poor and vulnerable, we will use the gatekeepers, traditional rulers, religious groups, market groups and we will also use social register”, he added.

Reacting to the possibility of healthcare workers refusing to dispense drugs to enrollees, the FHIS Head, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Pharm Adedeji Fatai said measures are in place to ensure that all enrollees get quality healthcare service delivery.

He said, “We have posted our officers into each of those facilities just with the sole purpose of ensuring that the best of services is given to our enrollees in each of those facilities”.

District head, Dobi in Gwagwalada area council, Estu Sule Dobi, while commending the scheme for the initiative advised that the sensitization be extended to the people of the grassroots for effective results.

One of the beneficiaries, Praise Johnson, appreciated the FCT leadership for the initiative. She also described the process of enrollment as seamless.

FHIS will also distribute delivery kits to pregnant women in the FCT.