ACCELERATED REDUCTION OF MATERNAL AND NEWBORN MORTALITY IN NIGERIA

A Strategy accelerates the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality by scaling up access to skilled birth attendance and emergency care. It targets pregnant women, mothers, healthcare providers, and state health ministries across Nigeria. This aims to lower mortality rates through effective health interventions.

What Is This Policy?

Nigeria's national initiative and strategic framework for urgently reducing the very high rates of maternal and newborn mortality by scaling up access to skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and newborn care.

Who Does It Target?

Pregnant women and mothers in all 36 states and FCT Midwives, nurses, and doctors providing maternal care State Ministries of Health International maternal health donors (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO)

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Dramatically reduce Nigeria's maternal mortality ratio (estimated at 512 per 100,000 live births) and newborn mortality by scaling up evidence-based interventions at all levels of the health system.

Key Features

Skilled Birth Attendance: Scale-up of skilled birth attendance through deployment of midwives and upgrading of health facilities. Emergency Obstetric Care: Strengthening BEmONC and CEmONC facilities to manage obstetric emergencies. Antenatal Care: Expanded access to quality antenatal care including risk factor identification. Newborn Care: Scale-up of essential newborn care including resuscitation, KMC, and chlorhexidine.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — multiple programmes underway across states Coverage: Nationwide maternal and newborn health services Beneficiaries: All pregnant women; newborns; their families Funding: Federal Government; UNFPA; UNICEF; WHO; bilateral donors

How to Access

Pregnant women: register for antenatal care at nearest government health facility Emergency obstetric services: available at designated facilities 24/7 Health workers: training opportunities through state health ministries Application method: Access maternal health services at any government health facility.

Important Terms

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world — urgent action is required Skilled attendance at birth is the single most important intervention Three delays (decision, transport, treatment) account for most preventable maternal deaths

Impact & Metrics

Progressive reduction in maternal deaths in states with intensive programme scale-up, though national MMR remains unacceptably high.

Official Resources

Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — Reproductive Health Division

Legal Framework

Developed under the authority of the Federal Ministry of Health pursuant to the National Health Act 2014 and Section 17 of the 1999 Constitution on health objectives. Implements the Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (IMNCH) Strategy and aligns with the WHO Every Woman Every Child global strategy, the Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 on maternal mortality, and the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health. The NPHCDA Act supports delivery at primary care level.