The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has broadened its flagship maternal health initiative to include neonatal services, officially launching the pilot phase of the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) programme in Kano State.
The new component was unveiled during a visit by an NHIA delegation to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and the Kano State Ministry of Health. It marks a significant step forward from the maternal health scheme rolled out in July 2024 under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which has already delivered life-saving emergency obstetric care to thousands of women nationwide. In Kano alone, more than 2,000 women have benefited so far.
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusif, welcomed the choice of Kano as the pilot location, pledging government support and confirming that additional facilities had been earmarked for inclusion. He also challenged participating hospitals to achieve a 95 percent survival rate among admitted newborns.
At AKTH, the management described the CEmONC programme as a game-changer for maternal and child health in the state. The hospital was formally enlisted into the neonatal pilot, and its newly commissioned Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) will provide specialised treatment for critically ill infants.
To cement the collaboration, NHIA, AKTH, and Reliance HMO—the designated third-party administrator—signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). NHIA officials underscored the urgency of extending the programme to cover newborns, citing the critical need for improved survival outcomes.
NHIA’s Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, received commendation for his data-driven leadership and reform agenda. Stakeholders highlighted the programme’s focus on strong partnerships, innovative financing, and evidence-based governance.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, also praised the expansion, stressing that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant deaths and expanding equitable access to quality healthcare.
With this milestone, NHIA has reinforced its promise to safeguard the health of both mothers and their newborns, moving Nigeria closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
