By Hussein J-Isah
The Tinubu Media Support Group,TMSG, has described the free Caesarian section initiative of the President Bola Tinubu administration as a landmark move that is bound to reduce the high incident of maternal mortality especially in low income areas of the country.
The group said this will intervene in off- setting the prohibitive costs of Caesarian Section ( CS) procedures in private and public hospitals across the country thereby providing succour and joy for many homes in the country.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and the Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG said the steps taken by Federal government was a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s caring heart and a laudable move in a country with one of the highest maternal deaths in the world.
“We are enthused that the federal government through the Coordinating minister for health and social welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate has announced caesarian section would now be provided free of charge for any woman in need of it in the country.
“This initiative of the President Bola Tinubu administration is in line with efforts to make health services affordable and accessible to all Nigerians. But we also see it from the perspective of helping to reduce maternal mortality which is a major problem in the country, and we are hopeful that all and sundry will cooperate with the federal authorities to ensure its success.
“In announcing the plan which comes under the administration’s Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII), the minister explained that the new policy is designed to ensure that women who need C-sections—either due to complications or as part of planned deliveries—can access the procedure without financial strains and obstacles.
“This, for us, is not only a form of subsidy in a country in which healthcare services are expensive, but also an initiative that will take Nigeria from the unenviable list of three countries with the highest rate of maternal deaths and infant mortality in the world.
“We invite Nigerians to note that the average cost of a cesarean section in the country ranges from N140,000 to N350,000, depending on hospital type and location but with this new initiative expectant mothers especially in low income areas can afford to heave a sigh of relief.
“Furthermore, it is bound to improve access to proper maternal care especially for women in about 172 local government areas which according to a new report from the Health ministry account for 50% of maternal deaths in the country and which will primarily form the chore aresa of interest for the implementation,” the group noted
TMSG added that the initiative will also go a long way in increasing the rate of Caesarian Sections in the country, which is far lower than the global rate.
“We find it worrisome that Nigeria has a Caesarian rate of 2% according to the World Health Organization WHO, compared to the global average of 21%.
The group also said that, “This is said to be one of the reasons why about 58,000 women, who could have easily survived childbirth, die annually from complications, especially in the hands of unskilled birth attendants in rural areas.
“It is heartwarming that the Health ministry has also taken that into consideration with its plan to employ about 120,000 health workers to support primary healthcare.
“We agree with the Coordinating minister of Health that no woman should die from child birth complications because she cannot afford C-section.”
TMSG therefore called on sub national governments to key into the nitiative and join hands with the President Tinubu’s administration towards ensuring its success.
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