By Lara Adejoro, Abuja
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe said the FCT Administration is determined to initiate a special health insurance enrollment programme for vulnerable pregnant women in the FCT to reduce the maternal mortality rate.
Dr Fasawe made this known during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Primary Health Care Centre, Wassa in Abuja Municipal Area Council to assess the facility, the quality of care rendered as well as the scope of operations in tandem with standard healthcare guidelines.
According to her, every resident of the FCT is entitled to health care services regardless of their socio-economic status.
“In recognition of the importance of proper healthcare during pregnancy and the right of every pregnant woman to essential healthcare services without financial barriers, the secretariat has taken the bold step to initiate a special enrolment process for women facing economic hardship so as to receive vital care deserved.
“The insurance process would cover a range of services, including prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, and other necessary medical attention that would drastically reduce maternal and infant mortality rate,” Fasawe revealed.
She noted that the government is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people through innovative healthcare interventions and community outreach programmes.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed the secretariat to embark on advocacy and sensitisation programmes to enlighten the people on how and where to access healthcare services at affordable rates within the FCT.
A latest report by the World Health Organisation showed that Nigeria accounts for the second-highest number of maternal and child deaths globally.
The report titled: ‘Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: Progress Report 2023,’ revealed that Nigeria is only behind India.
According to the report, 788 women and children died ‘per thousand’ in India and 540 women and children ‘per thousand’ died in Nigeria in 2020.
Also, India accounted for 17 per cent of global maternal, and neonatal deaths and stillbirths, while Nigeria accounts for 12 per cent.
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