Nigeria Launches $65M Initiative to Reduce Maternal Deaths

The federal government of Nigeria is initiating the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) with a commitment of over $65 million (N89.9 billion) aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths. This initiative will focus on 172 high-burden Local Government Areas (LGAs) across various states, including Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Anambra, and Ondo.

The MAMII is supported by the World Economic Forum, Gates Foundation, MTN Foundation, and MSD for Mothers, aligning private sector and philanthropic resources with national health priorities. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced the initiative, emphasizing the need for a coordinated effort among federal and state governments, the private sector, and development partners.

Nigeria currently faces approximately 40,000 maternal deaths and 300,000 newborn deaths annually. The MAMII Compact aims to address these challenges by coordinating efforts to fill service delivery gaps in the identified LGAs.