The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing preventable maternal deaths in Nigeria through the implementation of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the agency’s Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, described MAMII as a critical strategy to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of location or socio-economic status, have access to quality and affordable primary health care services.
Dr. Aina emphasized that MAMII aligns with the 2025 World Health Day theme, “Enhancing the Health and Survival of Our Mothers and Newborns.”
He underscored the initiative as a bold national response to Nigeria’s persistently high maternal mortality rate through the strengthening of primary health care systems.
“MAMII is a unified national effort to significantly reduce maternal mortality,” he stated. “Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, we are working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders.”
The initiative focuses on deploying skilled birth attendants, enhancing emergency obstetric care, expanding access to maternal services through health insurance, and upgrading community health facilities.
Despite improvements in the health sector, Nigeria still records one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with more than 500 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“This is unacceptable. We must act with urgency and innovation. MAMII is a direct response to this crisis. It is about saving lives and securing our future,” Dr. Aina stressed.
He also highlighted the need for community engagement and robust accountability mechanisms to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.
A National Commitment to Maternal Health
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to maternal and child health, Dr. Aina stated, “No nation can truly thrive while its women continue to die giving life.”
MAMII is a flagship national program led by the NPHCDA, designed to drastically reduce maternal deaths in Nigeria through innovative, data-driven, and community-based approaches.
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Key components of the initiative include:
Increased deployment of skilled birth attendants at the primary health care level.
Strengthened emergency obstetric services.
Enhanced referral systems for maternal health emergencies
As Nigeria remains a significant contributor to global maternal deaths, MAMII seeks to change this narrative by addressing preventable causes and fostering a more coordinated national response.
