The Cross River State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and development partners, has activated the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, MAMII, with its pilot phase at Abi local government identified as having some of the poorest maternal and child health indicators.
The initiative, launched under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, targets 172 local government areas across Nigeria that account for more than half of the nation’s maternal mortality burden.
MAMII is a national health innovation programme designed to improve maternal and newborn survival rates by eliminating barriers that delay access to timely and quality care, as Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate currently stands at 512 per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality is 41 per 1,000 live births.
The programme focuses on preventing complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period through improved referral systems, community participation, and stronger collaboration among health stakeholders.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency described the activation of MAMII in Cross River as a crucial step towards improving maternal and child health outcomes across the country.
Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, who commended the initiative, said the earlier five-day activation workshop which culminated in the inauguration of a state task force, produced a strategic framework to guide the effective implementation of the initiative.
Beneficiaries who attended the activation ceremony commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will save the lives of mothers and newborns, especially in rural communities.
With the activation of MAMII, Cross River joins other states in advancing the national goal of ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths and ensuring safer motherhood for all women.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
