Prof Muhammad Ali Pate
Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

"Safe motherhood can be achieved when a pregnant woman receives all pillars of care during and after pregnancy, such as antenatal care, skilled and facility-based delivery, quality services as well as postnatal care, family planning, postpartum family planning and post-abortion family planning." Ali Pate.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently reiterated his commitment towards the prioritization of the health and well-being of Nigerian citizens, which is a key part of his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.

This was the assertion of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare on Monday 22 April 2024 during a press briefing to commemorate the 2024 Safe Motherhood Day, with the theme "Investing in Maternal Health for a Sustainable Future" held in Abuja.

Prof. Pate, at the event recalled the unveiling of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative in December of a compact between the 36 State Governors, development partners and the Federal Government to ensure improved population health outcomes in a sector-wide manner.

At the “2024 Safe Motherhood Day”, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare reiterated the readiness of the Federal Government to reduce maternal mortality and newborn child deaths by providing adequate funding to eight thousand, eight hundred, (8800) health facilities across the country.

Professor Pate pointed out that safe motherhood can be achieved when a pregnant woman receives all pillars of care during and after pregnancy, such as antenatal care, skilled and facility-based delivery, quality services as well as postnatal care, family planning, postpartum family planning and post-abortion family planning. He therefore called on all stakeholders, development partners, religious and traditional leaders, and the media to educate the general public to achieve the desired objective.

"We have to ensure that all women in Nigeria have access to quality maternal care, irrespective of where you come from, whether they are from rural areas or not, whether they are educated or not so that we do not leave any woman behind," he stressed.

Professor Pate further mentioned that the government aims to reach at least 7 million pregnant women through those services over time per year and at least 6 million newborn births on an annual basis. "That is an aspiration. We are not there yet. However, it is what we should be aiming for so that no woman is left behind when it comes to access to quality maternal care, access to skilled birth attendants, facility birth delivery and Non-communicable diseases. This will also include screening, checks against hypertension, diabetes in pregnancy and family planning and to ensure affordability to the vulnerable group fund as the NHIA provides cover to reduce access to care for women".

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom identified the three worst maternal health complications, which contribute to 55 per cent of cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria as postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia and unsafe abortion.

Kachollom appealed that it requires a concerted and collective effort by the pregnant woman herself, her immediate and extended family members, community and health personnel at primary, secondary and tertiary levels to ensure the safety of a pregnant woman and her child during pregnancy, delivery and after delivery.

”To actualize the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has commenced the 4 point Agenda of the health sector,” Daju stated.

“Safe motherhood is a key priority of the health agenda, as over 120,000 front line health workers ' capacities will be built and additional primary Health care will receive funds under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to cater for mothers and Children.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that, “to discharge its mandate and effort to improve maternal health, the Ministry, in collaboration with partners have reviewed the safe motherhood documents in line with best practices to address the identified challenges guide states in the implementation, thereby addressing issues affecting maternal health in Nigeria.”

She expressed her appreciation for the commitment of the stakeholders in improving the quality of lives of mothers and children, adding that their support and effort in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria should not be overemphasized. "Together, we can build a country where every mother has the opportunity to experience the joy of childbirth in safety and dignity. We can create a future where every mother and newborn receive the care and support needed to thrive." She stated.

Documents on Labour Guide, Guidelines for Community use of misoprostol, and D-Calibrated drapes, were launched by the Coordinating Minister of Health with the supported of the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa alongside the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom.

The documents will be up-loaded on the website of the Ministry for the general public and health personnel to access.

Stakeholders resent at the 2024 Safe Motherhood Day include representatives from Reproductive Health, Technical Working Group, Who Health Organization, UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Society of Gynecology & Obstetrics of Nigeria among others.