Nigeria Renews Commitment To Safe Motherhood: A Call For Collective Action
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As Nigeria commemorates the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns across the country.
This year’s event with the theme “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality,” emphasised that maternal health is not just a health agenda but a moral imperative.
Speaking at an event commemorating the day in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate, declared that the era of preventable maternal deaths must end. “No woman should die giving life, and no child should be born into preventable suffering,” he said, unveiling a series of bold initiatives and policies aimed at transforming maternal and newborn care in Nigeria.
Among the milestones highlighted were the scaling up of free comprehensive emergency obstetric services, expanded health insurance for vulnerable groups, improved ambulance systems, and the implementation of a free fistula care programme in 15 facilities.
The Minister also launched key national documents, including updated guidelines on postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, along with training manuals to equip health professionals with lifesaving skills.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director Family Health of FMoH, Dr. Binyere Ukaire, reechoed this vision, describing Safe Motherhood Day as both a celebration of progress and a call to action. “Maternal mortality is not just a statistic it is a personal tragedy and a reflection of system gaps we must fix,” she said.
With a renewed focus on innovation, inclusiveness, and partnerships, Nigeria is charting a new course.
But both officials made it clear that the mission to crash maternal mortality cannot succeed without the active involvement of every stakeholder from government and healthcare workers to community leaders and families.
As the slogan rightly puts it, “Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies.”
