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The Federal Government plans to distribute medical equipment to 251 secondary healthcare facilities across Nigeria as early progress in maternal and child healthcare emerges from ongoing reforms.
The announcement was made during a meeting with stakeholders and media ahead of the launch of the equipment distribution program under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and Sector Approach Coordination Office in Abuja.
National coordinator Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq said the reforms target structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare system, including poor coordination, inadequate infrastructure, weak data management, shortage of healthcare workers and limited access to affordable care.
He said the agenda is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s human capital development priorities and focuses on strengthening governance, accountability and service delivery at all levels.
“Governance is at the heart of how we can address these long-standing problems,” Umar-Sadiq said. “We talk a lot about a plan, a budget, a relationship and a conversation.”
Interventions target both supply and demand through recruitment of community health workers, revitalization of primary health centers, strengthening of comprehensive emergency obstetric and neonatal care facilities, and improved supply of medical equipment and products.
Efforts are also underway to improve affordability through the National Health Insurance Authority’s reimbursement program for cesarean sections and obstetric complications.
The federal government signed a compact with the 36 states and the FCT to establish a unified accountability framework. Under the agreement, federal, state and local governments have clear responsibilities, including quarterly performance reviews, mandatory data reporting and incentive-based funding tied to independently verified results.
Umar-Sadiq described it as an “ask and offer” arrangement. The federal government will provide funding and technical support, while states commit to agreed-upon reforms and investments before being eligible for reimbursements.
The Government has committed to scaling up at least one CEmONC facility in every local government area. Of the 774 secondary facilities assessed, 251 were selected for equipment support covering operating rooms, laboratories, neonatal units, pharmacies and emergency obstetric care services.
The intervention is expected to improve capacity to manage maternal and neonatal emergencies and reduce preventable deaths. The improved facilities will also support integration under the NHIA to expand access to reimbursed maternal healthcare.
Over 3,000 primary health centers have already been revitalized with state governments and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. Of these, 808 are located in 172 high burden local government areas accounting for approximately 55% of maternal deaths in Nigeria.
Over 3,000 community health workers have been recruited and sent to disadvantaged areas. Emergency transport and hospitalization systems are also being strengthened to transfer women with pregnancy-related complications to equipped referral hospitals.
So far, 259 facilities have been involved in the NHIA reimbursement initiative, and more than 42,000 women and newborns have benefited from free cesarean sections and other reimbursed obstetric services.
The office is also promoting a shared procurement initiative, Medipool, to reduce stockouts, lower costs, improve quality assurance and strengthen procurement across the industry.
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Umar-Sadiq said service utilization has increased in target areas, with more than 2.1 million pregnant women accessing antenatal care. Skilled birth attendance and facility births improved, while facility maternal mortality rates decreased in participating areas.
Data and evidence-based policymaking remains central to the programme, with indicators monitored on maternal mortality, deployment of health workers, revitalization of facilities, availability of goods and emergency response.
Under the model, states should gradually absorb the salaries of newly hired health workers into their payrolls over three years to ensure sustainability beyond federal and donor funding. Independent verification agents have been appointed to confirm performance before refunds are released.
Umar-Sadiq acknowledged that some states still face challenges with memorandums of understanding on hiring and financing, including tax planning, housing and workforce absorption. Discussions are ongoing with states, including Lagos, Delta and Rivers.
The government is also investing in training institutes, workforce expansion, health technology schools and housing to increase the production of midwives and frontline staff and improve welfare.
