…Inaugurates Task Force for Maternal, Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII)
By Edward Oseghe
The Edo State Government has intensified its efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths from preventable causes with the official activation of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) at the Oluku Primary Healthcare Centre, Benin City.
The activation, which took place on Friday, October 10, followed a five-day multi-stakeholder workshop that brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners, community leaders, and caregivers to co-design sustainable solutions for improving maternal and child health outcomes across the state.
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Edo State MAMII Task Force by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, who charged members to pursue one of the most critical mandates in public health—saving mothers and newborns from preventable deaths.
“We are building a multisectoral team that unites the Ministry of Health, the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Drug Management Agency, the Health Insurance Commission, and development partners—all working towards one goal: that no woman should die while giving life, and no child should die from preventable causes,” Dr. Oshiomhole stated.
The Commissioner emphasised that under the visionary leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the state government has prioritised healthcare reforms, focusing on strengthening systems, equipping facilities, training health workers, and improving access from primary to tertiary care levels.
He noted that Edo State’s inclusion in the national MAMII framework was in recognition of its proactive leadership and structured action plan to address maternal and neonatal mortality.
“With the activation of MAMII in Edo State, our task is clear—implement the state-specific action plan developed during the workshop, strengthen emergency obstetric and neonatal care across the 18 LGAs, improve data reporting and accountability, foster community participation, and build strong partnerships with donors and private sector stakeholders,” he added.
Dr. Oshiomhole urged the newly inaugurated task force to demonstrate commitment, discipline, and compassion in translating policy into measurable outcomes.
“Every maternal death is one too many. Each statistic represents a mother, a child, and a family forever changed. Edo women and children are counting on us to rewrite the story of maternal and neonatal health in our state,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHCDA), Dr. Coulson Oisokhia, described the activation as a concrete demonstration of the government’s resolve to safeguard the lives of mothers and newborns. He commended stakeholders and partners for their commitment and called for stronger inter-agency collaboration to ensure the initiative’s success.
The Edo State MAMII Focal Person, Dr. Omijie Godswill, explained that the activation followed several days of community engagement and diagnostic sessions that identified barriers to maternal and newborn care at the grassroots. He said the programme will enhance access to antenatal services, essential medicines, micronutrient supplements, and emergency referrals—particularly for women in rural areas.
Speaking on behalf of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Deputy Director of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office, Mr. Omoruyi Iyahen, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships with states in tackling maternal and infant deaths.
“The era of top-down directives in the health sector is over. What we are building now are genuine partnerships that reflect local realities and drive real impact,” Iyahen said.
Development partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and civil society groups pledged technical support, capacity building, and community mobilisation to ensure the initiative’s sustainability.
The event also featured the traditional breaking of kola nuts as a cultural endorsement of the programme, and the formal handover of the locally developed MAMII action plan to the state health team.
Traditional rulers, community heads, and women’s groups pledged their continued support for the initiative, expressing optimism that it would bring lasting improvements to maternal and child health in Edo State.
Officials noted that the success of the programme would be measured through improved antenatal attendance, prompt referrals, reduced out-of-pocket spending, and a measurable decline in maternal and neonatal deaths.
The SWAp Coordination mechanism will monitor progress through periodic reviews and accountability frameworks.
The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), launched nationally in November 2024, is a Federal Government-led framework designed to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems across Nigeria. Edo State’s activation marks another milestone in the nation’s collective effort to end preventable maternal and infant deaths through coordinated local action.
