Enugu State has officially activated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a project aimed at drastically cutting down maternal and infant deaths in the state.
Speaking at the Implementation Design Workshop held on Monday, October 6, at Bon Hotel Platinum, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ENSPHDC), Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, said the initiative aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to make Enugu one of the safest states in Nigeria for maternal and child health.
Dr. Ani-Osheku noted that Nigeria currently carries one of the heaviest global burdens of maternal and infant mortality, a reality that has made deliberate interventions like MAMII necessary. She explained that the project targets at least a 30 percent reduction in maternal mortality by the end of 2026.
“This programme is not just a meeting; it is about creating community-driven and context-specific solutions for Enugu State to ensure that every woman’s journey through our healthcare system results in a positive outcome,” she said.
Highlighting ongoing healthcare projects in the state, she pointed to the construction of model Type Two Primary Healthcare Centres as part of broader reforms to strengthen the health sector. She emphasized that maternal and child health are directly linked to national economic growth, stressing that investment in these areas is crucial for Nigeria’s development.
The workshop, which runs for five days, is expected to produce an implementable document that will serve as a roadmap for reducing maternal and neonatal deaths. Dr. Ani-Osheku assured participants that ENSPHDC will provide full technical support for the programme, while the state government remains committed to backing the initiative in all necessary ways.
She added that the strategy would integrate primary healthcare, insurance platforms, and emergency response systems, making communities active stakeholders in the process.
“Health is everyone’s responsibility. It might be your mother or your sister. What we intend to do is ensure improved access to quality healthcare services so that pregnancy and childbirth in Enugu State end with fruitful results,” she stated.
