FG Reports 22% Drop in Maternal Case Fatality Rates
Federal Government Reports Decline in Maternal Case Fatality Rates
The Federal Government announced that maternal case fatality rates within health facilities participating in its maternal health intervention program have decreased by 22% from 2024 to August 2026. This initiative aims to reduce maternal deaths nationwide.
Health and Social Welfare Minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate made the announcement during a briefing with President Bola Tinubu, outlining the administration’s progress in maternal healthcare, primary healthcare delivery, and local production of medical supplies. The information was released in a statement by Ado Bako, the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, on Thursday.
According to the statement, approximately 750,000 pregnant women have been connected to antenatal care in 172 local government areas identified as having high maternal mortality rates through the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
The statement noted, “Case fatality in participating maternal health facilities declined by 22% between 2024 and August 2026, while around 750,000 women were linked to antenatal care in the priority areas over the past year.”
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has also reached over 93,000 women and newborns by August 2026 through emergency maternal, newborn, and fistula care programs.
In terms of primary healthcare, the government reported that 3,526 primary healthcare centers have been revitalized, bringing the total number of functional clinics nationwide to 14,107. Additionally, ₦249.5 billion has been disbursed from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and directly to primary healthcare centers from 2023 to September 2026.
Health insurance enrollment has risen from approximately 16 million at the start of the Tinubu administration to more than 23 million by September 2026, including 2.7 million low-income Nigerians whose coverage was subsidized.
The government highlighted its vaccination efforts, revealing that a measles and rubella campaign had reached about 103 million children by May 2026, while more than 18 million girls aged 9 to 14 had received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Three cancer centers in Katsina, Benin, and Enugu have been completed and commissioned in collaboration with NSIA MedServe. Additionally, 10 diagnostic and specialist centers were finished by October 2026.
On local manufacturing, the government reported that 10 factories producing essential health-related products have been commissioned, including six in 2026. These facilities are focused on creating medicines, diagnostic products, mosquito nets, medical devices, and oxygen.
An executive order has been introduced to provide tax and tariff relief to support local production. Furthermore, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PIVHC) is fostering technology transfers, partnerships, and investments in the health sector.
Despite these advancements, the government acknowledged ongoing challenges in ensuring access to healthcare services, the availability of essential medications, emergency transport, and the equitable distribution of healthcare workers.
“The ultimate measure of success is improved health outcomes for Nigerians, including safer childbirth, healthier children, affordable treatment, and a stronger domestic health industry capable of supporting national health security,” the statement concluded.
