Federal Government Offers Free C-Sections to Pregnant Women Nationwide

At least 4,000 pregnant women across Nigeria have received free caesarean sections under the National Health Insurance programme, marking a significant achievement of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).

The 2025 health statistics report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare highlighted the programme’s role in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths while strengthening frontline health systems.

Launched in November 2024, MAMII targets a 30 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and a 20 per cent reduction in neonatal deaths across 172 high-burden local government areas. The initiative deploys context-specific interventions focusing on governance, accountability, community demand creation, skilled service delivery, financing, and performance management.

Since its commencement, the programme has identified major drivers of mortality in the LGAs and implemented tailored solutions.

According to the report, “MAMII has achieved significant progress in strengthening Nigeria’s health system response to maternal and neonatal mortality. One hundred and eighty-six LGAs have developed context-specific costed work plans using the national comprehensive implementation guide to improve antenatal care attendance. Over 400,000 pregnant women have been line-listed, with the number of referrals on the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System rising from 86 to 32,711. A total of 4,000 caesarean sections have been conducted at no cost for women enrolled under the National Health Insurance programme.”

Additionally, lifesaving maternal, newborn, and child health commodities have been distributed to over 500 facilities, and emergency transport systems have been activated in 12 states. Early data show improved antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance, and overall maternal and neonatal health indicators.

Across the 172 LGAs, 435 health facilities have been revitalised, 729,724 women booked their first ANC visit before 20 weeks, and 794,205 women completed their fourth ANC visit. Between the first and third quarters of 2025, 731,559 deliveries were recorded, along with 21,172 stillbirths, 841 maternal deaths, and 1,245 neonatal deaths.