As parts of measures aimed at reducing maternal and infant deaths in the Enugu State, the state government in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, on Monday unveiled the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative project.
The project was unveiled on Monday during the activation workshop MAMII organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the swap coordinating office through the support of the state ministry of health.
The five-day workshop is expected to produce an implementable document that will serve as a roadmap for reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, while speaking at the ceremony, said the initiative aligns with the Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah’s vision to make Enugu one of the safest states in Nigeria for maternal and child health.
“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,” Dr. Ani-Osheku stated.
The project aims for at least a 30% reduction in maternal mortality by the end of 2026. Dr. Ani-Osheku noted that Nigeria currently carries one of the heaviest global burdens of maternal and infant mortality, making deliberate interventions like MAMII necessary.
“We’re constructing model Type Two Primary Healthcare Centres as part of broader reforms to strengthen the health sector,” she said, highlighting ongoing healthcare projects in the state. “Maternal and child health are directly linked to national economic growth, stressing that investment in these areas is crucial for Nigeria’s development.”
Ani-Osheku assured participants that ENSPHDC will provide full technical support for the programme, while the state government remains committed to backing the initiative.
“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 emphasized, just as she also added that strategy will integrate primary healthcare, insurance platforms, and emergency response systems, making communities active stakeholders in the process.
