FG Flags Off Distribution of Life-Saving Maternal Health Equipment Across 30 States

"Standing here, I feel a huge sense of pride and responsibility as we officially flag off the distribution of this equipment to states across the country." Aina

..... Says "every Nigerian mother deserves the opportunity to give birth safely, while every newborn deserves a chance to live and thrive."

The Federal Government has officially flagged off the distribution of critical maternal and newborn healthcare equipment to states across the country, describing the intervention as a landmark step towards reducing preventable deaths among mothers and infants.

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Director General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, said every Nigerian mother deserves the opportunity to give birth safely, while every newborn deserves a chance to live and thrive.

Aina commended the SWAp Coordination Office led by Dr. Muthaka for its dedication and coordination in driving the healthcare intervention programme, describing the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s health sector renewal agenda.

“Standing here, I feel a huge sense of pride and responsibility as we officially flag off the distribution of this equipment to states across the country,” he said.

He recalled that six months earlier, the Federal Government commenced the distribution of equipment and commodities to primary healthcare centres through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, noting that the current phase is targeted at strengthening secondary healthcare facilities nationwide.

According to him, the programme has already begun yielding measurable results, with more than 40,000 women reportedly accessing timely, life-saving interventions in participating health facilities.

“These are not just numbers. These are our mothers, our heroes, who have been given a second chance at life,” Aina stated.

He also credited the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with initiating major reforms in the nation’s healthcare governance system over the past three years, leading to stronger collaboration among federal, state and local governments as well as development partners.

Aina praised the adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), saying the framework has strengthened partnerships and improved coordination within the health sector.

“We now have the Federal Government, state governments, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, commissioners for health, hospitals management boards, local governments and development partners all working together. This has become the new way of doing things,” he added.

A presentation by the National Coordinator at the event showed that resources mobilised under the health compact enabled the procurement of medical equipment worth nearly $200 million for states across the federation.

The intervention is expected to see about 200 additional healthcare facilities in 30 states receive equipment aimed at bridging critical service delivery gaps.

“This is proof that when we combine resources, align priorities and move in one direction, we can achieve results that resonate across the nation,” Aina said.

He, however, stressed that equipment and infrastructure alone would not solve the country’s healthcare challenges, urging states to invest more in rehabilitating and staffing secondary healthcare facilities.

“We need to make sure these facilities are not just equipped, but truly functional,” he noted, adding that secondary healthcare centres remain vital referral points despite ongoing investments in primary healthcare.

The Director General further urged political leaders at all levels to sustain collaboration and commitment towards improving healthcare delivery and reducing maternal mortality nationwide.

Dignitaries at the event included Dr. Muntaqa, Dr. Abdulwahab Ahmad, representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services and Chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, while Dr. Nnenna Kalu stood in for the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority.

Also in attendance are, Dr. Olumide Okunola of the World Bank, and Dr. Funmi Adesanya of the United States Embassy in Nigeria.