In a groundbreaking effort to address Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rate, the federal government has launched a program providing free emergency obstetric care in seven selected health facilities across Kogi State.
This initiative, funded by the Vulnerable Group Fund under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and ensure prompt, high-quality medical care for pregnant women.
The seven participating health facilities include Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Ayingba; Confluence University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Okene; Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja; General Hospital, Ankpa; General Hospital, Okengwe; General Hospital, Kabba; and General Hospital, Koton-Karfe.
These facilities will offer comprehensive services, including family planning, to beneficiaries experiencing emergency obstetric complications at no cost. The program is expected to benefit many women in Kogi State, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to quality healthcare.
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Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, stated, “We are making progress in our commitment to reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria. Regrettably, we currently hold the unenviable position of being second in the world in maternal mortality rates.”
He emphasised the urgent need for quality emergency obstetric care to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth. The goal is to ensure that by 2027, Nigeria will no longer rank among the top countries with high maternal mortality rates.
Dr. Olayemi Ayo, the Chief Medical Director of the Kogi State Hospitals Management Board, also highlighted the importance of personal responsibility in improving healthcare services.
He said, “We need to personally take responsibility, work together to improve our healthcare system, and stop blaming the government, as it is always overwhelmed with responsibilities.”
In a landmark development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the health facilities, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and a third-party administrator.
This agreement is designed to streamline healthcare services, ensuring efficient and high-quality care for beneficiaries.
The medical directors of the selected facilities were present at a meeting held in the conference room of the state Ministry of Health, where the program was officially launched.
This initiative marks a significant step towards reducing maternal mortality in Kogi State and strengthening the overall healthcare system in Nigeria.
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