The Federal Ministry of Health has launched an initiative to provide free cesarean sections for poor and vulnerable women across the country.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced this on Thursday during the launch of the “Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative” at the ongoing three-day Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja.

According to him, free caesarean sections would be provided to Nigerian women in need. He added that the initiative represents a commitment to reducing maternal and newborn mortality across Nigeria.

A tweet posted on the official X handle of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare stated, “In a powerful move, Coordinating Minister @muhammadpate just announced that Caesarean Sections for all Nigerian women who need them will now be FREE!”

Pate, on his X handle, noted that a pivotal feature of the initiative is the provision of free caesarean sections for poor and vulnerable women who meet eligibility criteria, covering services provided through both public and private facilities empanelled by the National Health Insurance Authority.