The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured pledges totalling over $65 million from private firms to support initiatives aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the country.
The pledged funds are intended to bolster existing programmes that improve access to quality prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and post‑natal services, thereby addressing the high rates of maternal and infant mortality that continue to challenge the nation’s health system.
Nigeria accounts for a significant proportion of global maternal deaths, with the World Health Organization estimating that the country records more than 20,000 maternal fatalities each year. Reducing these numbers is a priority for both the government and international health partners.
Involving the private sector marks a strategic effort to diversify funding sources and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Officials said the collaboration with private firms underscores a shared commitment to safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns, and they anticipate that the newly secured resources will translate into measurable improvements in health outcomes in the coming years.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>