Globally, Nigeria is one of the most affected countries, accounting for around 20% of maternal and child deaths, according to the World Bank.
The Nigerian government has launched six national policy documents aimed at ensuring safer delivery for women across Nigeria in a move to reduce mother deaths and improve childbirth outcomes.
Muhammad Pate, Coordination Minister of Health and Social Welfare, published the document in Abuja on Wednesday to commemorate the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day.
Safe Motherhood Day is an annual event marked April 11th, creating a general dialogue on the best strategies and interventions to promote maternal and neonatal health and survival amid integrated and continuous care.
Globally, Nigeria is one of the most affected countries, accounting for around 20% of maternal and child deaths, according to the World Bank.
implementation
The newly launched policy documents include national safe maternal strategies, clinical protocols for managing postpartum hemorrhage, pre- and adolescent syndromes, essential gynecological skills manuals, national strategies to improve the quality of reproductive and maternal care, and training manuals on obstetric management.
Describing safe motherhood as both a moral and developmental priorities, Patee said women should not lose their lives during childbirth and that children should not enter the world just to face preventable suffering.
He explained that this year’s slogan, “Mom care, hope for a baby,” reflects both the cry of the rally and the national duties.
He said the deaths of mothers and newborns have long threatened families and undermined development, and the development of new policies is intended to change the narrative.
Mr Pate emphasized that under the health sector renewal initiative, the government is already taking concrete steps to correct the systemic challenges that have risked childbirth for many women.
Other documents launched have updated guidelines for managing bleeding and hypertension disorders following bleeding during pregnancy, as well as manuals to improve healthcare professionals’ skills in reproductive health.
A new quality of care framework has also been introduced, aimed at promoting high quality care that respects women, children and adolescents.
Mr. Patty also revealed that a training manual has been published to guide doctors and nurses providing comprehensive and evidence-based care to women suffering from obstetrics f.
“These documents represent the government’s commitment to creating a healthcare system centered around resilient people who can not only respond to emergencies, but also predict and prevent them,” he said.
collaboration
Patee also urged stakeholders, governors, traditional rulers, healthcare workers, community leaders, development partners and the private sector to join hands to make safe motherhood a reality in every village, every ward and every home.
In his remarks, the Ministry’s permanent secretary, Dhaju Kacholom, pointed out that mother mortality rates are not merely statistics. It reflects the personal tragedy for families, the setbacks for the community, and the gaps in the health system that we must deal with in an urgent manner.
Ms. Kacholom, who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Family Health, stressed the need for Vinierem Ukaia to form partnerships, share innovations and accelerate safer Nigerian solutions.
“Safe Motherhood Day is a strict reminder of the journey that many women and girls still take through pregnancy and childbirth, sometimes risky, sometimes fearful, and often without adequate support.
“Today, I am proud to highlight the progress we have made through the Health Sector Update Initiative (HSRII). This bold reform agenda has begun to deliver concrete results,” she said.
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She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, promoting respectful and comprehensive obstetric care, expanding access to reproductive and maternal health services, and supporting healthcare workers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Walter Mrombo, a country representing the World Health Organization, has also urged the government to continue to invest high in maternal and neonatal health services to expand equitable access to quality care, particularly in areas that are hard to reach, which are most affected by mother and neonatal mortality.
Mulombo encouraged the government to enact and support laws protecting women and children, and to protect their rights, including access to obstetric protection and sexual and reproductive health services.
“We hope that governments will address the underlying social and economic factors that promote inequality.
“In collaboration with all of our partners, I would like to call on all of us to enhance accountability, coordination and innovation at all levels that support a very unique sector-wide approach and health change in a country like Nigeria,” he pointed out.
