Stakeholders warn N720bn gap threatens maternal, newborn health goals

Nigeria requires an additional N720 billion to adequately fund interventions aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths, according to Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, National Lead of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative. This shortfall was highlighted during a maternal health roundtable organized by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.

Stakeholders at the event urged increased domestic investment in maternal and newborn healthcare. They warned that inadequate financing, poor budget implementation, and weak accountability contribute significantly to the country's high mortality rates. Adeyanju noted that Nigeria's 2025 National Annual Operational Plan for health is estimated at N3.68 trillion, with government and development partners providing N1.7 trillion and N1.25 trillion respectively, leaving the N720 billion gap.

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To reverse this trend, the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative was launched during the 2024 Joint Annual Review with clear targets to reduce maternal mortality by 30 per cent, reduce neonatal mortality by 20 per cent by 2027, and increase health facility utilisation by 60 per cent by 2030.

Adeyanju explained that the government allocates about 87.9% of the health budget to strengthening health systems. He stressed that sustained domestic resource mobilization is crucial for Nigeria to achieve its targets of reducing maternal mortality by 30% and neonatal mortality by 20% by 2027. Nigeria currently faces one of the world's highest burdens, with over 572 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 41 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births.

The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative focuses on 172 priority Local Government Areas responsible for half of Nigeria's maternal mortality burden. Key contributing factors identified include delays in seeking care, reaching facilities, receiving quality care, and poor coordination among stakeholders. The initiative's strategy involves strengthening data systems, improving coordination, expanding health financing, equipping facilities, enhancing access to care, and community mobilization.

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Our strategy focuses on strengthening data systems, improving coordination, expanding health financing, ensuring facilities are adequately equipped, improving physical and financial access to care, and mobilising communities to identify pregnant women early and support them to access skilled care.