The administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a bold step to  reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the country.

Ali Pate, Nigeria’s  Minister of Health, Ali Pate made the announcement during the Joint Annual Review, JAR, of the Sector Wide Approach, SWAp, for health in Abuja.  the nation’s capital.

According to the Unisef, Nigeria’s is among the top countries globally with fatality arising from women trying to give birth. In most cases, women usually pay with their lives during complications while trying to deliver naturally or as a result of lacking financial resources to pay for expensive caesarean sections (C-sections).

Going forward, Prof. Pate said the federal government now has a policy where pregnant women will be provided C-Sections free of charge.

The minister said this is in line with the Tinubu’s administration’s efforts on improving maternal and newborn health, and prioritizing access to essential healthcare, especially in undeserved communities.

The minister said no woman should be allowed to die because of lack of financial capacity to pay for operation, saying pregnant women deserves better.

The federal  government policy “ is in further effort to reduce maternal mortality in the country. No woman should lose her life simply because she can’t afford a C-section,” the minister said.

In its Editorial of May 4 2024, titled “Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Crisis Needs Actionable Steps” The Punch newspaper had called on the three tiers of government to take targeted steps at ending the malasie, nothing that a pregnant women is like someone who has received a “death sentence.”

The newspaper quoted Prof Pate as saying over 57,000 women had died of from pregnancy and complications during childbirth in 2023 alone.

“IN Nigeria, pregnancy is still akin to a death sentence. Indeed, the high prevalence of maternal mortality in the country gives room for grave concern. All stakeholders, including the three tiers of government, NGOs, and community leaders must play a part in reducing the frequent loss of lives among pregnant women.” the newspaper said.