4,000 Successful caesarean operations recorded under NHIA facilities — Minister

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, says Nigeria’s health sector has recorded significant improvements across major performance indicators under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative launched in 2023 by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2025 Joint Annual Review and National Council on Health meeting, Pate said the upcoming review would help evaluate progress and strengthen collaboration among the federal, state, and local governments.

The 2025 review, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigeria’s Health Sector to Light,” aims to assess ongoing reforms, highlight achievements, and renew the national compact between government at all levels and development partners toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Pate revealed that this year’s compact will also involve local government councils, private sector stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society organizations, in line with the National Health Act 2014.

According to him, nationwide data show steady progress in maternal and reproductive health, with marked improvements in antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, family planning, and facility-based deliveries.

“We are beginning to see signs of real progress. Primary healthcare utilization has increased sharply from 10 million visits in Q1 2024 to 45 million in Q2 2025,” Pate stated.

He added that 37 out of 41 national health Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been met, while 35 states and the FCT have completed their performance dialogues with citizen participation.

Highlighting service delivery gains, Pate mentioned the success of the “MAMI” initiative aimed at reducing maternal deaths, noting that over 4,000 caesarean sections had been successfully performed in NHIA-accredited facilities nationwide.

The minister also cited improved public trust in the health system, referencing a recent survey showing that 77 percent of Nigerians now express satisfaction with government-led health reforms.

While acknowledging challenges such as affordability and declining external funding, Pate urged efficient resource management, stronger collaboration among all tiers of government, and better motivation for health workers to sustain the sector’s growth.

“We can now tell a data-driven story showing real progress. If we sustain this momentum, Nigeria’s health outcomes will continue to improve, and the world will take notice,” he assured.

The 2025 Joint Annual Review, which begins tomorrow in Abuja, will feature five key sessions focusing on maternal health, governance and accountability, local manufacturing of life science products, domestic financing, and health expenditure review.

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