The Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners have commenced a five-day Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) Activation Workshop on Monday. This was intended to draft a coordinated plan to tackle preventable maternal and infant deaths in the state.
Opening the workshop at Protea Hotel, Alausa, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the State Government was deeply concerned about the persistent burden of maternal and infant mortality and is determined to address this issue.
The Commissioner disclosed that one of Lagos State’s major focus areas is health financing, emphasizing the importance of health insurance to prevent disastrous health expenditures. He said the state has domesticated the National Health Insurance Authority Act through an executive order by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make health insurance mandatory for all residents.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described maternal and child mortality as a serious public health issue that requires an organized action. She added that Lagos currently ranks third in maternal and infant deaths natiotionally and that constant influx strains existing healthcare infrastructure.
While presenting an overview of the MAMII strategy, the National MAMII Lead, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, explained that the initiative is part of Nigeria’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), targeting a 30% reduction in maternal mortality and a 60% increase in facility utilization in high-burden areas by 2030. He continued by stating the area of focus of the strategy.He added that MAMII would rely on data-driven, context-specific interventions that reflect the realities of each community.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Beatrice Ezenwa, Associate Professor of Neonatology and Lagos State Focal Person for the Nigeria Society of Neonatal Medicine, pin point important infant health interventions under MAMII. These include essential newborn care, infrastructure upgrades for Special Care Baby Units, digital health training for frontline workers, and integration of newborn indicators into national data systems.
In her goodwill message, the Technical Officer for Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Joy Ufere, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Lagos in reducing maternal and infant deaths. She urged stakeholders to use the workshop opportunity to design practical, measurable solutions.
Similarly, the Director of Healthcare Planning, Research, and Statistics, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga explained that the workshop would enable the state to identify and eliminate the five key delays contributing to maternal deaths—ranging from delayed decision-making to inadequate facility care.
Also, the Deputy Director, Health Systems Support, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mrs. Khadijah Ishola presented an overview of MAMII as a client-centered initiative linking every pregnant woman to a care team for continuous support from pregnancy to postnatal care.
The Principal Officer, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Mufutau Kehinde, outlined the agency’s Financing Access to CEmONC program, which addresses the “three delays” in maternal care through structured health financing and facility reimbursement. He said the program has started in federal, state, and faith-based hospitals, aims to remove financial and operational barriers to emergency obstetric and newborn services.
The workshop, which runs till Friday, October 10, 2025, connects policymakers, development partners, healthcare providers, and community representatives to collectively formulate strategies that will ensure safer motherhood and childhood across Lagos State.
