The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) took a major leap forward this week as Edo State hosted a five-day implementation design workshop from Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10, 2025. The workshop marked a critical activation phase aimed at developing innovative solutions to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths across the state.
The high-level event brought together key stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies, including the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) as well as officials from the Edo State Ministry of Health, led by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole.
The federal delegation was led by Mr. Omoruyi Iyahen, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Health.The opening ceremony featured insightful presentations from the participating MDAs, setting the tone for a week of robust engagement. The NHIA highlighted significant milestones achievements of CEmOC and FFP as at September 2025 that has recorded 225 beneficiaries treated under the CEmOC and 37 obstetric fistula patients treated and insured under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Day two of the workshop featured an in-depth field exercise, or “deep dive,” across five selected communities designed to gather data on maternal and neonatal health realities at the grassroots. The NHIA team joined other stakeholders at Ugbogiobo community, conducting facility and community assessments, exit interviews with pregnant women and caregivers, and verbal and social autopsies to understand the circumstances surrounding maternal and child deaths. Key informant interviews were also held with community and religious leaders.
Subsequent sessions on Days 3 and 4 focused on analyzing the findings from the field visits, drawing lessons, and developing strategic frameworks for effective program rollout across the state.
The workshop climaxed on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Oluku Primary Health Centre, Ovia North East LGA, where a large gathering of pregnant women and stakeholders attended an awareness creation event. Representatives of federal and state agencies reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative actions aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through innovation, access, and accountability.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the NHIA Edo State Coordinator, Dr. Theodore Ehannire, emphasized the Authority’s unwavering commitment to improving financial access to emergency obstetric care, family planning, and treatment for obstetric fistula.
According to her, “NHIA remains dedicated to providing financial access to quality maternal care and addressing the social and economic burdens associated with maternal morbidity and mortality.”
The event culminated in the formal inauguration of the MAMII Task Force Team, where Dr.Theodore Ehannire amongst others were officially inducted as members. The Task Force is expected to drive innovative, evidence-based interventions that address systemic barriers to maternal and neonatal survival in Edo State and serve as a model for national replication.
Ehannire Theodore
The MAMII initiative represents a landmark step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to safeguard maternal and child health, leveraging cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation, and community participation to save lives and strengthen the nation’s health systems.
