By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has reported a 22 per cent decline in maternal case fatality rates at participating health facilities between 2024 and August 2026, as part of efforts to reduce maternal deaths across Nigeria.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing President Bola Tinubu on progress in maternal healthcare, primary healthcare delivery and local production of medical products.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
According to the statement, approximately 750,000 pregnant women were linked to antenatal care in 172 local government areas identified as having high maternal mortality rates under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).
The government also reported that the National Health Insurance Authority had reached more than 93,000 women and newborns by August 2026 through emergency maternal, newborn and fistula care programmes.
On primary healthcare delivery, the ministry said 3,526 primary healthcare centres had been revitalised, bringing the total number of functional clinics nationwide to 14,107.
It added that ₦249.5 billion had been disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and directly to primary healthcare centres between 2023 and September 2026.
Health insurance coverage has also expanded, with enrolment rising from approximately 16 million people at the beginning of the Tinubu administration to more than 23 million as of September 2026.
Of the total number enrolled, the government said 2.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians were receiving subsidised coverage.
The statement further highlighted progress in vaccination programmes, noting that a measles and rubella campaign had reached approximately 103 million children by May 2026.
It added that more than 18 million girls aged nine to 14 had received the human papillomavirus vaccine, which helps protect against HPV infections associated with cervical cancer.
In cancer care, the government said three cancer centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu had been completed and commissioned in collaboration with NSIA MedServe.
It also reported that 10 diagnostic and specialist centres were completed in October 2026.
On efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, the ministry disclosed that 10 factories producing priority healthcare products had been commissioned, including six in 2026.
The facilities produce medicines, diagnostic products, mosquito nets, medical devices and oxygen, among other essential health products.
The government said an executive order granting tax and tariff relief had also been introduced to support domestic production, while the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain was facilitating technology transfers, partnerships and investments in the sector.
Despite the reported progress, the ministry acknowledged persistent challenges in ensuring access to healthcare, maintaining supplies of essential medicines, providing emergency transportation and achieving an equitable distribution of health workers.
It stressed that the ultimate measure of progress would be improved health outcomes, including safer childbirth, healthier children, affordable treatment and a stronger domestic healthcare industry capable of supporting Nigeria’s health security.
