The Federal Ministry of Health has unveiled six new policy documents aimed at addressing maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
The launch, which took place in Abuja yesterday, coincided with the observance of Safe Motherhood Day.
The six documents include a comprehensive Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028), guidelines for managing postpartum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, an essential gynaecological skills manual, a quality of care strategy for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and elderly health (RMNCAEH), and national training manuals for doctors and nurses on managing obstetric fistula.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that the documents reflect the government’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system that can proactively address health emergencies.
He described the Safe Motherhood Strategy as a roadmap for coordinated interventions designed to safeguard the lives of mothers, along with national efforts to ensure adequate maternal health resources.
“We are not just responding to emergencies; we are preparing for them,” Prof. Pate said. He highlighted that the guidelines for managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) would standardize lifesaving practices across the country, while the pre-eclampsia and eclampsia guidelines would enable more effective detection and treatment of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Prof. Pate called on all sectors, including governors, healthcare workers, traditional leaders, and the private sector, to join forces in ensuring that safe motherhood becomes a reality nationwide.
“Let us ensure that no woman dies while giving life. Let us ensure that every child born in Nigeria takes their first breath in safety and with hope,” he urged.
Dr. Binyere Ukaire, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, echoed the ministry’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health, calling it a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national health agenda.