The Nigerian government has announced it will provide free Cesarean sections to women in need, as part of its drive to lower the country’s high maternal mortality rate. This landmark initiative was confirmed by Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, during the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja.
Pate highlighted the initiative as a critical step in ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent women from accessing life-saving medical procedures. “No woman should lose her life simply because she cannot afford a C-section,” Pate stated. He emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing both maternal and newborn mortality across the nation, calling the initiative an ambitious yet essential goal.
The announcement was also shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, where the ministry reiterated the government’s promise to cover the cost of C-sections for all Nigerian women in need.
Maternal mortality remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria, with many women lacking access to essential medical services. The government’s move to provide free C-sections marks a significant step toward addressing this issue and supporting the health and well-being of Nigerian mothers and their families.
