Kogi State Assembly Advances Bills for Free Maternal Healthcare and Environmental Sanitation

Lokoja, Nigeria – The Kogi State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards improving healthcare access by passing a bill for free maternal and neonatal services in state-owned facilities. The legislation aims to remove financial obstacles that often prevent expectant mothers and newborns from receiving essential medical care.

The bill, titled "A Bill for a Law to Provide for Free Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Services for Pregnant Women and Newborn Children in State-Owned Health Facilities in Kogi State and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2025," was sponsored by Hon. Umar Yahaya. It seeks to guarantee free antenatal care, skilled delivery services including C-sections, obstetric and neonatal care, immunizations, diagnostics, and essential drugs.

Lawmaker Yahaya highlighted that Nigeria accounts for approximately 14 percent of global maternal deaths, and many such fatalities in Kogi State occur due to the inability of mothers to afford treatment. He noted that the bill aligns with the state government's initiatives, such as the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, and provides a crucial legal framework to ensure sustainability and accountability.

In addition to the healthcare bill, the Assembly also advanced a separate piece of legislation focused on environmental sanitation. This bill aims to combat public littering and the defacement of public and private properties, described as a vital measure to enhance the overall health and aesthetic appeal of the state. Both bills are seen as crucial steps in improving the quality of life for Kogi State residents.

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This Bill provides that framework. It ensures that access to life-saving maternal and neonatal healthcare is not a privilege but a guaranteed right for every pregnant woman and newborn child in our state.