Reported by Simon yusuph,| Journalist at wengglobal
Nigeria’s quest to significantly reduce maternal mortality will require stronger partnerships between the government, the private sector, development agencies, healthcare professionals, and civil society organisations, according to leading stakeholders in the country’s health sector.
Health experts, policymakers, and development partners say Nigeria can only achieve lasting improvements in maternal and newborn health by expanding healthcare financing, accelerating digital health innovation, strengthening primary healthcare systems, and creating sustainable public-private partnerships that improve access to quality maternal care across urban and rural communities.
The renewed call comes as Nigeria continues to face one of the world’s highest maternal mortality burdens, despite years of policy reforms and international interventions. Experts argue that while government-led initiatives remain essential, the private sector possesses the financial resources, technological expertise, and innovation capacity needed to complement public investments and transform maternal healthcare delivery nationwide.
Speaking during discussions on healthcare reforms, stakeholders stressed that preventable maternal deaths remain a major public health challenge requiring coordinated national action rather than isolated interventions. They noted that women, particularly those in underserved communities, continue to face significant barriers to accessing skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, antenatal services, and affordable healthcare financing.
According to health experts, strengthening collaboration among federal and state governments, private healthcare providers, technology companies, pharmaceutical firms, insurance providers, donor agencies, and development organisations could significantly improve maternal health outcomes while building a more resilient healthcare system.
They emphasised that investment in maternal health should be viewed not only as a public health priority but also as an economic imperative. Healthier mothers contribute to healthier families, increased workforce productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and improved national development indicators.
Stakeholders highlighted healthcare financing as one of the most critical areas requiring urgent reforms. Although Nigeria has introduced several programmes aimed at improving access to healthcare, many households still rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments, making maternal healthcare financially inaccessible for millions of families.
Experts advocated expanding health insurance coverage, mobilising greater private investment, and developing innovative financing mechanisms that reduce the financial burden on pregnant women while ensuring healthcare facilities receive adequate funding to deliver quality services.
Digital health solutions also featured prominently during discussions. Stakeholders argued that technology can bridge existing healthcare gaps by improving patient records management, supporting telemedicine consultations, enhancing disease surveillance, enabling remote monitoring of pregnant women, and facilitating timely referrals during obstetric emergencies.
They noted that digital platforms can also improve healthcare planning by providing real-time data for policymakers, helping governments allocate resources more efficiently and monitor maternal health indicators across different regions of the country.
Healthcare professionals further stressed the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, describing primary healthcare centres as the first line of defence against preventable maternal and infant deaths. They called for increased investments in healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment, skilled personnel, and continuous professional training for frontline health workers.
According to participants, improving maternal healthcare requires more than constructing new health facilities. They argued that facilities must be adequately staffed, equipped with essential medicines, supplied with functional emergency services, and integrated into referral systems capable of responding quickly to pregnancy-related complications.
Another key recommendation centred on institutionalising digital innovations across Nigeria’s healthcare system. Stakeholders observed that several pilot projects have demonstrated the effectiveness of digital health tools, but widespread implementation remains limited due to funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, and inconsistent policy execution.
They urged governments at all levels to develop long-term digital health strategies that encourage innovation while ensuring data security, patient privacy, and equitable access to healthcare technologies.
The private sector, experts said, has a significant role to play in expanding investments in healthcare infrastructure, medical technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics, diagnostics, and workforce development. Businesses can also contribute through corporate social responsibility initiatives that support maternal and child health programmes in underserved communities.
Development partners were equally encouraged to continue supporting Nigeria’s health reforms through technical assistance, capacity building, research collaboration, and funding for evidence-based interventions capable of producing measurable health outcomes.
Stakeholders also underscored the importance of community engagement in reducing maternal mortality. They argued that improving maternal health extends beyond hospitals and clinics to include public awareness campaigns, health education, nutrition, family planning services, and early antenatal care attendance.
Traditional and religious leaders, community-based organisations, women’s groups, and youth organisations were identified as important partners in promoting health-seeking behaviour and addressing cultural barriers that often prevent women from accessing skilled maternal healthcare.
The renewed emphasis on collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s broader commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Reducing maternal mortality remains one of the key global health targets under the SDGs.
International health organisations have consistently maintained that reducing maternal deaths requires sustained investments in healthcare systems, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, family planning services, and universal health coverage.
Nigeria has introduced several health sector reforms in recent years aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage, and improving access to essential health services. However, experts acknowledge that implementation challenges, inadequate funding, workforce shortages, and infrastructure deficits continue to limit progress in many parts of the country.
Industry leaders believe stronger public-private partnerships can help bridge these gaps by combining public policy leadership with private-sector efficiency, innovation, and investment.
They argued that collaboration should move beyond short-term projects toward institutional frameworks that encourage accountability, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability.
As Nigeria continues to pursue comprehensive health sector reforms, stakeholders expressed optimism that coordinated action involving governments, businesses, healthcare professionals, development agencies, and communities can significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths while strengthening the country’s healthcare system for future generations.
They concluded that safeguarding maternal health is not solely the responsibility of governments but a shared national obligation requiring sustained commitment, innovation, adequate financing, and partnerships capable of delivering quality healthcare to every Nigerian woman, regardless of her socioeconomic status or geographical location.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria
- UNICEF
- The Guardian Nigeria
- Premium Times
- Punch Newspapers
- Vanguard News
