At the 78th World Health Assembly, Nigeria unveiled an ambitious, community-driven approach to address maternal, newborn, and child mortality, positioning itself as a leader in scalable health innovations. Speaking at the “Innovate to Scale” high-level panel, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare emphasized the urgency with which the country is tackling this persistent challenge.
Acknowledging slow global progress on maternal and child health, the Minister stressed that innovation must move beyond theory to reach communities directly. He highlighted the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII), launched in 2024, as a central pillar of Nigeria’s response.
MAMII targets 172 local government areas—home to more than half of the country’s maternal deaths—with equity-driven interventions designed to eliminate barriers to care. By integrating real-time data systems, deploying trained community midwives, and establishing emergency transport networks, the initiative aims to address critical delays in accessing life-saving services.
The strategy also includes pregnancy tracking tied to health facilities, distribution of delivery kits, and culturally tailored outreach efforts that involve traditional birth attendants and religious leaders. These components are intended to foster trust, promote skilled birth attendance, and ensure no woman is left behind.
In addition, the Minister referenced the Safer Births Initiative, which uses affordable technologies and simulation-based training to boost the capacity of frontline health workers. Looking to the future, Nigeria intends to expand its use of digital health tools, such as AI-powered mobile ultrasound devices, and to reinforce primary healthcare systems to provide seamless maternal care across communities.
Calling for global solidarity, the Minister urged international stakeholders to invest in integrated and scalable health solutions. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring the survival and dignity of every mother and child, aligning with the country’s broader efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals related to health.
Nigeria’s presentation at the global forum underscored its growing leadership in deploying innovative, grassroots-driven strategies to strengthen public health and reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.
