Abuja: The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced initiatives aimed at addressing maternal and child mortality rates within the territory. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, revealed these steps during the launch of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) program.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the inauguration of the MAMII program coincides with the 2025 World Health Day celebrations, themed ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.’ Dr. Fasawe emphasized that the administration’s health insurance coverage for pregnant women and their newborns is a strategic effort to reduce mortality rates. She highlighted that this initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to zero tolerance for maternal and infant mortality.
Dr. Fasawe detailed that the FCTA has established health insurance desks across its facilities and encouraged pregnant women to register for free health services. The MAMII program also aims to inform women about President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on reducing maternal and newborn mortality.
Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, the National Coordinator of the MAMII program, stressed the importance of ensuring every pregnancy results in a healthy baby. He noted that the program seeks to eliminate delays in seeking and receiving healthcare services, which contribute to maternal deaths. The initiative plans to offer free caesarean services at tertiary and general hospitals and aims to revitalize primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
Adeyanju mentioned that the program would expand nationwide and connect pregnant women to functional healthcare facilities. This ensures they receive necessary resources, such as mama kits and transportation vouchers for delivery. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local governments to ensure safe pregnancies and child survival beyond the age of five.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, Country Representative for the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of regular antenatal visits for pregnant women and the need for immunizations to ensure children’s health. He praised the government’s health insurance scheme for easing financial barriers to healthcare access.
The MAMII program is set to operate as a year-long campaign, with a call for continued investment in healthcare from the government to sustain these efforts.