FG Unveils National Midwifery Roadmap to Tackle Maternal Deaths, Boost Rural Healthcare

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

The Federal Government has rolled out a new national roadmap aimed at strengthening midwifery services, reducing maternal and newborn deaths, and improving healthcare delivery across Nigeria, particularly in underserved rural communities.

The initiative was announced in a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, following a ministerial press briefing held in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Midwife.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare through deliberate investments in midwifery education, workforce development, and healthcare infrastructure.

Represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Abisola Adegoke, the Minister described midwives as the “frontline of maternal and newborn healthcare delivery,” especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

“No health system can provide optimal maternal and child health services without having adequate number of skilled midwives,” Pate stated, adding that midwives remain indispensable in safeguarding lives from pregnancy through childbirth and beyond.

As part of efforts to address the shortage of skilled birth attendants, the Minister announced the launch of the Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2025–2030, a comprehensive national framework designed to strengthen education, expand workforce capacity, improve leadership, and enhance service delivery within the nursing and midwifery sector.

According to him, the strategy includes the expansion of training institutions, increased admission quotas for midwifery programmes, modernization of training curricula in line with global standards, and improved recruitment opportunities for healthcare workers.

He further disclosed that the government is prioritizing the deployment of midwives to rural and underserved areas while investing heavily in continuous professional development and life-saving competency-based training.

Professor Pate also highlighted the implementation of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), describing it as a key intervention targeted at high-burden areas to ensure that “no woman dies while giving birth.”

He noted that additional programmes such as the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) are being strengthened to improve reproductive healthcare services nationwide.

“All these interventions with the involvement of midwives are intended to improve care and the country’s health indices,” the Minister said.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s International Day of the Midwife, “One Million More Midwives,” Pate described it as timely and significant, stressing that Nigeria, like many countries globally, faces a critical shortage of skilled midwives.

“The need to scale up the midwifery workforce is a critical strategy for improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes,” he said.

The Minister revealed that the Federal Government is also working with development partners to ensure that midwives are equipped with essential tools, supplies, and supportive working environments to improve service delivery and retention.

“There is improvement in welfare, motivation, and retention efforts, recognizing that a supported workforce delivers better care,” he added.

He further pledged that the government would continue to scale up the production of midwives, strengthen primary healthcare systems, invest in digital health solutions, and deepen community engagement to promote skilled birth attendance across the country.

“To our midwives across the country, we see you, we value you, we celebrate your dedication, resilience, and compassion. You are the backbone of safe motherhood and healthy families,” the Minister stated.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr. Okpako Okpikpi, Director of Teaching Hospitals, said the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the urgent need to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Midwives remain at the heart of our healthcare system, providing essential care before, during, and after childbirth, often in the most challenging conditions,” she said.

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving training, working conditions, and healthcare infrastructure while appreciating development partners and stakeholders supporting maternal and child health programmes in Nigeria.