Stakeholders have called for sustainable healthcare solutions as Nigeria begins implementing the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in Ogun and Bauchi states.
The initiative aims to address the country’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates by strengthening healthcare financing, leveraging digital health solutions and enhancing community participation.
Speaking in separate interviews on Wednesday in Abuja, experts stressed that while MAMII has the potential to transform maternal and neonatal health, its success will depend on political will, sustained funding, healthcare workforce capacity-building and continuous community engagement.
MAMII focuses on tackling the five critical delays that contribute to maternal deaths: Delay in seeking medical care, delay in reaching a health facility, delay in receiving adequate care, delay in taking responsibility for mortality reviews and delay in coordination.
The MAMII Implementation design workshop recently took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while Bauchi State is set to commence its implementation phase.
Dr. Abigail Banji, a health economist, emphasised that MAMII must not become another short-lived intervention, warning that many past maternal health programmes had failed due to lack of commitment and inadequate funding.
“MAMII requires strong political commitment, adequate funding, and coordinated efforts across all levels of government to make a real difference,” she said.
Stakeholders have underscored the need for sustainable funding mechanisms to ensure accessibility and affordability of maternal care.
CEO of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), Mrs. Chika Offor praised Ogun State’s Ibi-Dero conditional cash transfer programme, which provides financial support to vulnerable pregnant women, ensuring they access quality maternal care.
“Sustainable funding is key. Ogun’s Ibi-Dero model is commendable, and other states should invest in health insurance to prevent financial hardship for pregnant women,” Offor said.
She also noted that Ogun has deployed electronic medical records across primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.
In Bauchi State, where rural inaccessibility and low antenatal care attendance are major challenges, the government has pledged to strengthen community health programmes and expand skilled birth attendance.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Dambam emphasised the need for training more midwives, increasing emergency obstetric care services and integrating traditional birth attendants into formal healthcare structures.
“To reduce maternal deaths, we must bridge gaps between rural communities and healthcare facilities. This requires community engagement and sustainable health financing,” he stated.
Similarly, Mrs. Grace Adeyemi, a community health worker, highlighted the importance of training and equipping frontline workers.
“We need more midwives and functional health centers. Many women die due to avoidable delays in receiving care,” she said.
While optimistic about MAMII’s impact, Adeyemi warned that without sustained funding, workforce training, and strong monitoring frameworks, the initiative may not achieve its full potential.
Mrs. Mercy Adejo, founder of Women Strengthening Women in Nigeria, emphasised the importance of community involvement and accountability.
“MAMII is a game-changer, but only if we ensure community ownership, proper workforce training, and accountability at all levels,” she noted.
Development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF and UNFPA, have pledged technical and financial support for MAMII. However, Adejo stressed that Nigeria must focus on domestic resource mobilisation to sustain the programme beyond donor funding.
As MAMII’s implementation progresses, stakeholders agree that its success will be measured by long-term, measurable improvements in maternal and neonatal health across Nigeria.
