FG deploys $200,000 life-saving equipment to 252 hospitals across 30 states

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

In a major push to tackle Nigeria’s alarming maternal and newborn mortality crisis, the Federal Government has commenced the nationwide distribution of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) equipment valued at nearly $200,000 per state to 252 health facilities across 30 states.

The intervention, driven by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative, is aimed at strengthening emergency maternal healthcare services and ensuring safer childbirth outcomes for women and newborns across the country.

Launching the distribution exercise in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency ,NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, disclosed that over 40,000 women had already benefited from life-saving interventions under the programme.

He described the initiative as a direct fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revamp the nation’s healthcare system and reduce preventable deaths among mothers and infants.

“Over 40,000 women have already accessed timely life-saving interventions across our CEmONC facilities. These are not just numbers; they are mothers, sisters and families who have been given another chance at life,” Aina said.

According to him, the newly deployed equipment will close critical service delivery gaps in secondary healthcare facilities, many of which have struggled for years with inadequate emergency obstetric and newborn care infrastructure.

“Nearly 252 facilities across 30 states are receiving targeted equipment to bridge critical healthcare gaps. This demonstrates that when resources are aligned and priorities are clear, real impact can be achieved nationwide,” he stated.

The equipment package includes oxygen concentrators, pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators, incubators, baby warmers and other specialised medical tools tailored to the peculiar needs identified by each state.

Aina explained that the intervention was deliberately customised to address specific healthcare deficiencies.

“Some states identified newborn care as their biggest challenge, so they received incubators and baby warmers. Others faced oxygen shortages and were provided oxygen concentrators. These interventions are strategic and evidence-based,” he said.

Despite the intervention, Aina warned that medical equipment alone would not solve Nigeria’s maternal mortality burden unless states urgently addressed staffing shortages, weak referral systems and poor infrastructure in secondary healthcare facilities.

“We must ensure these facilities are not only equipped but fully functional. Staffing shortages at the secondary healthcare level remain a major concern,” he added.

He also issued a stern warning against diversion of the equipment for private use.

“These are hard-earned public resources. States must ensure rapid deployment and prevent diversion to private facilities. Accountability mechanisms will be put in place,” he warned.

Representing the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority ,NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Dr. Nnena Kalu revealed that the NHIA had supported CEmONC services in 245 healthcare facilities nationwide since the programme began in 2024.

“Since implementation started, we have recorded over 45,000 claims across 245 protected facilities. Behind every figure is a mother saved and a family protected from tragedy,” she said.

Kalu further disclosed that neonatal care services had been expanded to about 10 facilities, with over 3,000 claims already processed for newborn care interventions.

“These are thousands of babies saved and families protected from avoidable loss,” she noted.

She urged state governments to complement the intervention with skilled manpower, stable electricity, efficient supply chains and effective referral systems to maximise impact.

“We need reliable power supply, strong referral systems, continuous supply chains and sustained community awareness if these facilities are to truly save lives,” she stressed.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, described the initiative as a key outcome of the health sector compact introduced under the Tinubu administration.

He explained that the programme was built around accountability, sustainability and performance-based rewards for states delivering measurable healthcare improvements.

“One of our biggest operations is a pay-for-results system where states do the heavy lifting and are rewarded for achieving agreed healthcare targets,” Umar-Sadiq said.

He also defended the competence of Nigerian health professionals despite the growing migration of healthcare workers abroad.

“Our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists remain globally competitive. Their recruitment by countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Canada is proof of their quality,” he added.

Also speaking, Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, said the SWAp framework was fostering stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and states to improve healthcare delivery.

“What this represents is a coordinated incentive framework. The Federal Government provides equipment while states invest in infrastructure and manpower. This is reducing duplication and improving efficiency,” Filani said.

He disclosed that several states had begun increasing salaries and introducing special allowances for health workers in a bid to curb the growing exodus of medical professionals from the country.

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