The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has extended its flagship maternal health programme to cover neonatal services, unveiling the pilot phase of its Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) initiative in Kano State.
The expansion builds on the success of NHIA’s maternal health interventions, first launched in July 2024 under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). Since inception, the programme has delivered life-saving emergency obstetric care to thousands of women nationwide, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries recorded in Kano alone.
The neonatal component was inaugurated during a high-level visit to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and the Kano State Ministry of Health (KSMOH).
Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusif, welcomed the initiative, pledging the state government’s full support. He disclosed that additional facilities had been earmarked for inclusion and urged hospitals to maintain a 95% survival rate for newborns admitted under the scheme.
At AKTH, management hailed the programme as transformative for maternal and child health outcomes in the state. The hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), newly commissioned during the visit, will serve as a dedicated centre for critically ill newborns.
To formalise collaboration, NHIA signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AKTH and Reliance HMO, the designated third-party administrator.
NHIA’s Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, was praised for his evidence-based leadership and commitment to reform. Stakeholders highlighted the CEmONC programme’s emphasis on partnerships, innovative financing, and data-driven governance.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended the initiative, reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reduce maternal and infant mortality and ensure equitable healthcare access.
With this expansion, NHIA has strengthened its commitment to safeguarding mothers and newborns, moving Nigeria closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
