By Iyemah David
The Federal Government of Nigeria it is intensifying efforts to bolster national development through targeted healthcare initiatives aimed at improving community health across the country.
Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, highlighted these initiatives during the 2024 Maternal Health Policy Dialogue on Thursday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Nigeria Health Watch.
Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in maternal health, ranking second globally in maternal deaths according to a 2023 World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
This reality underscores the urgency of bridging the gap between current health outcomes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
Anas said that the innovative approaches such as E-MOTIVE, a postpartum haemorrhage management bundle, was pivotal in addressing systemic barriers like poor healthcare access, financial constraints and inadequate transportation infrastructure that hindered maternal healthcare.
“The commitment of President Bola Tinubu to driving community-centric health solutions is pivotal to our national development agenda.
“Improving human resources for health and fostering local production of medicines and equipment are critical in maternal health issues.
“These policies aim to tackle maternal mortality, enhance data transparency and strengthen partnerships to maximise impact.’’
She underscored the integral role of healthcare in societal progress.
Dr Salma Anas detailed recent policy innovations tailored to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality at the grassroots level; stressing the importance of local community engagement in decision-making and implementation processes.
“Advancements in digital health, telemedicine solutions and robust data management systems are revolutionising healthcare delivery, enhancing transparency, efficiency and accessibility across Nigeria.
“The focus remains steadfast on improving women’s health through targeted maternal care programmes and reproductive health services.
“Success stories abound, demonstrating measurable impacts on the lives of women and families nationwide.
“Collaborations with international organisations, NGOs and local stakeholders are pivotal in scaling successful healthcare interventions, leveraging resources and expertise for sustainable healthcare outcomes,” she said.
She said there were efforts and future plans to expand these initiatives as continued stakeholder support and collaboration was critical.
In her remarks, Mrs Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, called for innovative solutions to combat Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rates.
Ihekweazu said that there was an urgent need for evidence-based approaches and increased funding to broaden the impact of successful maternal health innovations.
According to her, access to quality maternal healthcare should not be a privilege; it is a right, and every woman should have this access, irrespective of where she is.
The dialogue concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to participate actively in scaling up impactful projects and strategies to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.
