Enhancing Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria: Progress and Challenges
Hajiya A’ishatu’s experience illustrates Nigeria’s commitment to improving maternal and child health services, particularly through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and other initiatives supported by international partners. While there have been notable improvements in safe deliveries and adolescent health, challenges persist, including underfunding and staff shortages, prompting the introduction of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to address these issues and enhance health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
In Nigeria’s Gombe State, Hajiya A’ishatu recounts her positive experiences giving birth at the Tudun Wada Primary Health Care Facility, highlighting the support and care she received from medical personnel. Her story mirrors a national initiative to enhance maternal and child health services across Nigeria, a country grappling with alarmingly high rates of maternal and child mortality—the latter accounting for 20% of the global burden.
The government’s establishment of a Basic Health Care Provision Fund has enabled significant resource allocation to primary health care, driven by financing from the Global Financing Facility (GFF) for Women, Children, and Adolescents. This initiative has bolstered approximately 900 primary health care facilities, enhancing critical infrastructure and providing essential services at no cost to families. Moreover, special focus has been placed on communities in northeastern Nigeria, which have faced strife and deteriorating health systems, culminating in a rise in safe deliveries from 22% to 68% from 2014 to 2020.
Additionally, addressing adolescent health needs has gained momentum, exemplified by the Accelerating Nutrition Results Project in Kaduna State, leading to improved family planning knowledge among adolescent girls. This project has, therefore, provided nutritional support to nearly 5 million pregnant women and over 7 million children under five, significantly addressing severe malnutrition in the country.
Despite these achievements, several challenges endure. Health services remain significantly underfunded, particularly in rural areas lacking adequate medical facilities and professionals. Zainab Umar Ciroma, Facility in Charge in Tudun Wada, expresses concerns regarding staff shortages and rising wait times for patients, warning that the recent economic downturn has rendered health services unaffordable for many families, pushing women toward traditional medicines and home births.
In response to these ongoing issues, Nigeria has introduced the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a strategic move to reduce maternal and child mortality through improved collaboration among health partners. This comprehensive initiative has garnered financial support exceeding $570 million, combining resources from the World Bank and other global health partners. By prioritizing investment in health care, Nigeria aims to transform its health sector and significantly improve health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents throughout the country.
Nigeria faces one of the highest rates of maternal and child mortality globally, with the associated challenges exacerbated by the lack of adequate health infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Recent national efforts aim to improve health services through various initiatives funded by local and international partnerships. Key programs include the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which enhances primary health care services and the Accelerating Nutrition Results Project, which addresses the nutritional and health needs of young women and children. These initiatives have led to significant improvements in service provision and health outcomes, yet they face ongoing financial and infrastructural challenges.
Efforts to combat maternal and child mortality in Nigeria showcase a commitment to improving health services through structured initiatives and international collaboration. While strides have been made in enhancing accessibility to health care, ongoing challenges emphasize the need for consistent funding and support. The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative signifies a promising effort towards sustainable health improvements, potentially transforming the landscape for women, children, and adolescents across the nation.
Original Source: www.worldbank.org
