22.5.2026
The federal government has commenced the distribution of comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care equipment to 251 health facilities across 30 states to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services nationwide.
The equipment, valued at about $200,000 per state, was unveiled on Friday in Abuja at an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the sector-wide approach initiative.
The initiative is aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths and improving access to quality emergency healthcare services across the country.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said no fewer than 40,000 women had already benefited from life-saving interventions under the programme.
Represented by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, Mr Pate described the intervention as part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery nationwide.
“No fewer than 40,000 women have already accessed timely life-saving interventions across our CEmONC facilities.
“These are not just numbers; these are our sisters, our mothers, our neighbours who have been given a second chance at life,” he said.
Mr Pate said the newly distributed equipment would address critical service delivery gaps in secondary health facilities across the country.
“About 251 facilities across 30 states are receiving equipment that will bridge critical service delivery gaps.
“This is proof that when we combine resources, align priorities and move in one direction, we can deliver results that will reverberate across the nation,” he said.
He added that the equipment was tailored to meet specific healthcare needs identified by different states, including newborn care and oxygen supply gaps.
“One state said the biggest gap is newborn care, so you saw incubators and baby warmers.
“Some states identified oxygen shortages, so they received oxygen concentrators. These are very targeted and deliberate interventions,” he added.
Mr Pate, however, warned that equipment alone would not solve Nigeria’s maternal mortality challenges, urging states to strengthen staffing, infrastructure, and referral systems.
He also cautioned against diversion of the equipment for private use, stressing that strict accountability measures would be enforced. NAN