The Enugu State Government has launched a new programme called the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative to tackle the high rate of maternal and infant deaths in the state.
The project was unveiled on Monday during a workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the Enugu State Ministry of Health.
The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, said the initiative supports Governor Peter Mbah’s goal of making Enugu one of the safest states in Nigeria for mothers and children.
“This programme is not just a meeting; it is about creating community-driven and context-specific solutions for Enugu State to ensure that every woman’s journey through our healthcare system results in a positive outcome,” Ani-Osheku said.
She explained that the project aims to cut maternal deaths by at least 30 percent by the end of 2026, noting that Nigeria still carries one of the highest global burdens of maternal and infant mortality.
“We’re constructing model Type Two Primary Healthcare Centres as part of broader reforms to strengthen the health sector,” she said. “Maternal and child health are directly linked to national economic growth, and investment in these areas is crucial for Nigeria’s development.”
The five-day workshop is expected to produce a detailed plan that will serve as a guide for reducing maternal and infant deaths in Enugu.
Ani-Osheku assured participants that the state’s primary healthcare agency will provide full technical support for the initiative and that the government remains fully committed to its success.
“Health is everyone’s responsibility. It might be your mother or your sister. What we intend to do is ensure improved access to quality healthcare services so that pregnancy and childbirth in Enugu State end with fruitful results,” she added.
The new strategy will combine primary healthcare, insurance coverage, and emergency response systems, while encouraging communities to take active roles in improving maternal and child health.
