***”No woman should die giving life,” says Health Minister on Safe Motherhood Day
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria, with the launch of new national guidelines and strategic health reforms.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made this known during a press briefing to commemorate 2025 Safe Motherhood Day, held in Abuja. The event marked a renewed national resolve to make childbirth safer for every Nigerian woman.
“No woman should die giving life, and no child should be born into preventable suffering,” Pate declared. “Safe motherhood is not just a health agenda—it is a moral obligation, a measure of our progress as a nation.”
This year’s theme, “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality”, calls on all sectors—governments, health professionals, communities, and development partners—to act decisively in protecting mothers and newborns.
In a major highlight, the minister launched six new policy documents to improve maternal healthcare services nationwide. These include:
The Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024–2028) – a national blueprint to reduce maternal deaths and improve maternal health commodity availability.
Guidelines for the Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH).
Guidelines for Preeclampsia and Eclampsia.
Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals.
The RMNCAEH+N Quality of Care Strategy – focusing on respectful, high-quality care for women, children, and the elderly.
National Training Manual on Obstetric Fistula Management.
“These documents demonstrate our commitment to not only managing emergencies but also building a resilient, inclusive healthcare system,” the minister said.
Under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the federal government has begun transforming maternal healthcare delivery through:
Expansion of skilled birth attendants in underserved regions.
Strengthened primary healthcare facilities.
Free fistula care in 15 treatment centres.
Scale-up of free emergency obstetric care for vulnerable groups.
Broader health insurance coverage.
Emergency ambulance services operational in 23 states.
“These reforms are already showing results with improved maternal health indicators in several parts of the country,” Pate noted.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom said the day served as a powerful reminder of the work that still lies ahead.
“Maternal mortality remains a personal tragedy for families and a setback for national development,” he said. “But it is preventable, and that is why our slogan—Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies—matters.”
She called for continued collaboration between federal and state governments, traditional leaders, healthcare workers, development partners, and the media.
“To our partners, private sector players, and civil society organizations: your support is crucial. And to the media, we count on you to raise awareness and help shape public understanding,” he added.
As Nigeria commemorates Safe Motherhood Day 2025, the message is clear: with sustained commitment, innovation, and collective action, the country can become one where no woman dies while giving life, and every child is born into safety and dignity.
