The initiative by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria to provide free caesarean sections to eligible women, under the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), is a new avenue for improving maternal and child health outcomes. This recent announcement underscores the federal government’s commitment to strengthening health services for the most vulnerable populations.
Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the importance of this innovative initiative at the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Health Journalists of Nigeria (ANHeJ) in Abuja. Under the theme “Effectiveness of Sector Wide Approach in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media”, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration between the health sector and the media to promote positive health outcomes.
In a context where health information and education are key levers to improve health outcomes, the Ministry of Health is committed to making health services accessible to all Nigerians. Through innovative approaches such as the MAMII Initiative, the government aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality by providing critical interventions such as free caesarean sections to eligible women.
By adopting a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), the Ministry harmonizes the efforts of all stakeholders involved, thereby maximizing the impact of health programs, improving accountability and reducing redundancies. This unified approach is essential to strengthen primary health systems and deliver effective health services to underserved communities.
The MAMII Initiative is a concrete example of the government’s commitment to revitalizing the health sector by investing in primary health care. By providing free caesarean sections to eligible women, the aim is to improve maternal and child health outcomes, combat neglected tropical diseases, prevent noncommunicable diseases and combat infectious diseases.
Health journalists play a crucial role in raising public awareness, influencing health behaviours and holding health sector stakeholders accountable. Their commitment and dedication to promoting the national health agenda is invaluable, and their contribution to the dissemination of accurate, relevant and timely information is essential for public health.
In conclusion, the announcement of the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in Nigeria is an important step towards improving health outcomes for women and infants. Through targeted interventions, effective collaborations and continued engagement, the Federal Government is demonstrating its commitment to strengthening primary health services and ensuring better access to health care for all Nigerians.