By Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched six key policy documents aimed at ensuring safe childbirth for every Nigerian woman, regardless of her location, income, or background. The documents were unveiled by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in commemoration of the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day.
The launched documents include the Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028), Guidelines for Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH), Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Guidelines, Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals, RMNCAH+N Quality of Care Strategy, and National Training Manual on Obstetric Fistula Management.
“We are reminded that no woman should die giving life, and no child should be born into preventable suffering. That is why our slogan this year, ‘Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies,’ is both a call to action and a moral imperative,” said Prof. Pate. “Safe Motherhood is not merely a health agenda, it is a moral imperative, a cornerstone of sustainable development, and a critical measure of our national progress.”
Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the need to forge partnerships, share innovations, and accelerate solutions for a safer Nigeria, where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every mother and baby thrives.
The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Walter Mulombo, urged the government to continue investing in maternal and newborn health services, especially in hard-to-reach areas. “We would like to encourage the government to enact and uphold laws that protect women and children and their rights, including maternity protection and access to sexual and reproductive health services,” he said.
The launch of these documents marks a significant step towards achieving the government’s commitment to improving maternal healthcare and reducing maternal mortality rates in Nigeria. With these documents, Nigeria is poised to make significant progress in ensuring safe childbirth for all women.
