The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria has activated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, MAMII, in Lagos State with the Ogba Primary Health Centre in Ojodu LCDA under Ikeja Local government.
The activation marks the end of a five-day co-creation workshop aimed at addressing maternal and newborn mortality in Lagos and developing context specific strategies to strengthen primary health care delivery.
The National Team Lead of MAMII, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, described the initiative as a sector-wide, evidence-driven strategy designed to drastically reduce maternal and newborn deaths in the country, through improved access, financing, and coordination.
According to him, Nigeria currently contributes about thirty percent of global maternal deaths, an alarming statistic that necessitated the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to reposition the health system and ensure no woman dies while giving birth to another life.
Dr. Adeyanju explained that MAMII identified 172 high-burden LGAs in 33 states contributing to over half of maternal deaths, prompting targeted interventions focused on facility readiness, transportation, and community engagement.
He noted that Lagos is being onboarded as part of the States currently implementing MAMII, with plans for free emergency transport, revitalized PHCs, and designated hospitals offering life-saving Caesarean sections for women in need.
He emphasized that over 3,000 PHCs have already been revitalized nationwide, with additional 2,000 in progress to achieve the “one functional PHC per ward” target.
He added that digital tools are being deployed to link pregnant women with care teams, emergency transport, and health facilities.
“The MAMII Task Force inaugurated across all States will ensure accountability and synergy among relevant MDAs and development partners.
We are determined to change the narrative, never again should pregnancy be a death sentence,” he said.
In a remark, Director of Health Care Planning, Research and Statistics, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, noted that the activation was the climax of Lagos’ week-long co-creation workshop involving stakeholders from health agencies, traditional birth attendants, religious leaders, transport unions, and implementing partners.
She explained that the workshop enabled stakeholders to identify the root causes of maternal deaths, ranging from sociocultural barriers and transportation challenges to gaps in health worker attitudes and facility readiness and to co-design solutions that are locally adaptable.
According to her, a detailed action plan was developed, clearly defining responsibilities for the State, partners, and the Federal Government’s SWAp Office.
“We are deliberate and intentional about ensuring no woman dies giving life. Every stakeholder has a role to play,” she affirmed.
On her part, the Medical Officer of Health, Ikeja Local Government, Dr. Tawak Folashade, assured that Ikeja is fully committed to the success of the initiative.
“The Council has the political will and leadership backing to ensure the MAMII programme achieves its objectives as the activation represents hope for safer motherhood and stronger communities, here in Ikeja, we are determined to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths to the barest minimum,” she said.
Representing the National Health Insurance Authority, Acting State Coordinator, Mrs. Chinyere Nwaohiri, assured pregnant women that free delivery services are available across public hospitals under NHIA’s financing support for emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
Some of the pregnant mothers enrolled under the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme, said MAMII represents renewed hope while commending the Lagos State Government for its commitment to maternal health and urged other women to register at public health facilities.
Dignitaries at the MAMII activation at Ogba PHC included community leaders, traditional birth attendants, health officials, religious leaders, and development partners.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada