The Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative has encouraged Nigerians to support the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project’s vision for reforming maternal health in the country.
National coordinator of SWAp, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq discussed this in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Science Nigeria, in November 2024, the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate officially launched MAMII to address the root causes of maternal and neonatal mortality in high-risk communities.
Umar-Sadiq emphasised that the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, which has remained above 500 deaths per 100,000 live births for nearly two decades.
He explained that the maternal health crisis is particularly concentrated in 172 local government areas (LGAs), which account for 55 per cent of maternal deaths.
“The initiative employs SWAp, which unites all stakeholders with one plan, one budget, one report and one voice,” he stated.
Umar-Sadiq noted that MAMII brings new hope in the fight against these preventable deaths.
“MAMII is designed to tackle five critical delays contributing to maternal deaths, including:
1. Delay in seeking medical care
2. Delay in reaching a health facility
3. Delay in receiving adequate care
4. Delay in taking responsibility for mortality reviews
5. Delay in coordinating interventions across various sectors,” he highlighted.
He noted that the fifth delay – coordinating interventions – represents a significant shift in the country’s approach to maternal health.
By fostering better alignment among government bodies, health organisations and community stakeholders, MAMII aims to reduce fragmentation and create a unified, strategic response to maternal deaths.
Umar-Sadiq outlined that the MAMII framework encompasses several key pillars:
1. Community Programming and Innovation: This includes enhancing health literacy, deploying community health workers and ensuring efficient referrals and follow-ups.
2. Access Interventions: Financial assistance, including health insurance and support for climate-related challenges, will help make healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations.
He noted that MAMII will ensure that Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) facilities are adequately equipped to provide timely, quality care.
Umar-Sadiq also said that progress would be tracked through scorecards, promoting transparent governance to guide the program’s implementation. He emphasised that leveraging digital tools and local incentives would be crucial for the programme’s success.
The approach aims to coordinate resources and technical assistance across all levels of government, ensuring a nationwide impact.
He stressed that MAMII’s focus is not only on national strategies but also on local solutions tailored to the specific needs of high-risk LGAs.
“By conducting in-depth analyses in these areas, MAMII will identify the unique factors contributing to maternal mortality and design context-specific interventions,” he said.
“This initiative is a collective effort that requires the active participation of all Nigerians.
“We must unite to tackle maternal mortality, particularly in communities facing the most severe challenges,” he emphasised.
MAMII is a multistakeholder initiative that will depend on community engagement, strengthening the health system, and strong governance to create lasting change.
As the program rolls out, the Nigerian government is urging citizens, health professionals, civil society and development partners to rally behind MAMII’s vision.
The programme will be closely monitored, with progress tracked through scorecards to ensure accountability and transparency in achieving its ambitious goals.
With the political will and strategic coordination offered by MAMII, stakeholders believe that the country has a genuine opportunity to address maternal mortality directly.
They assert that the program’s success will depend on the collective commitment of all Nigerians, reaffirming the belief that together, the nation can secure a future of safer pregnancies and healthier mothers and infants.
