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Experts, Prospective Beneficiaries Applaud FG’s Free CS Policy

Some medical experts and prospective beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s recently announced free cesarean sections (CS) policy for pregnant women  have applauded the policy, as it will help in containing maternal mortality during birth.

They observed that the policy will significantly alleviate financial barriers and reduce maternal mortality particularly among the poor and in rural communities.

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Professor Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced this initiative during the Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja, emphasising the government’s commitment to reducing the health risks associated with childbirth for Nigerian women.

According to Dr. Magaji Aliyu Mahmud, a Consultant Physician at Rasheed Shekoni Federal University Teaching Hospital Dutse, the policy has the potential to improve access to life saving care for pregnant women.

Dr. Mahmud said Jigawa State has been practicing free maternal and child health including cesarean sections which has yielded positive outcomes but has also faced numerous challenges.

He explained that the major hurdle of the policy in Jigawa is funding, “Initially, the funding provided was less than a quarter of what was needed. Although now the State government has since quadrupled the budget, but it remains a constant challenge.”

He said for the national programme to succeed, it will be essential to allocate sufficient resources to each health facility to ensure services are consistently available throughout.

For many women, particularly those in rural areas, this offers hope of safer childbirth without financial strain, but access remains a significant concern.

While the policy has been praised, concerns remain over whether our healthcare system is adequately prepared to sustain it, particularly in rural areas.

Aishatu Gambo, a pregnant woman from a rural community in Jigawa, said, “The idea is wonderful, but many of us live far from big hospitals that can handle emergencies. If the government could help with nearby facilities, it would make a big difference,”.

Ladidi Shehu Adamu, a mother of five from Gagarawa said, “This is a good initiative. It will save women from birth complications. More awareness about this programme will go a long way in helping the right people get access.”

Mrs. Oluchi Eze from Dutse expressed optimism, saying, “It’s a huge relief to know that the financial burden of a cesarean section won’t be an issue anymore. But I hope hospitals can handle the increased demand and won’t run out of supplies.”

Another expert, Hajia Aliya Ahmad Adamu, Reproductive Health and Maternal and Child Health Coordinator for Jigawa State, acknowledged the potential of the policy “I am happy about the initiative,” she said, noting that Jigawa has been allocating ₦75 million monthly for free maternal healthcare services, including cesareans.

She, however, cautioned that “Some women still have to buy basic materials like gloves, sutures, and anaesthetics.”

She decried the infrastructure gap in rural areas, where many community hospitals lack operating theatres, a factor that limits access to cesarean services.

She suggested the federal government should assist states by converting existing structures into theatres and by equipping primary healthcare centres at the community level to handle emergency obstetric procedures and recruit more personnel.

According to the World Health Organisation, maternal mortality in Nigeria is largely driven by preventable causes like infection, excessive bleeding, and complications from prolonged labour. It added that in 100,000 Nigerian women 1,047 die during delivery.

Despite its importance, Dr. Mahmud noted that free access to cesarean sections, while beneficial, is only one piece of the puzzle. “Cesarean sections should be part of a larger continuous series of care. The government needs to focus on early detection of high-risk pregnancies and preventive care throughout the nine months, rather than just at the moment of delivery.”

He also cautioned that when cesarean sections are offered for free, there’s a risk of overuse.

“Sometimes, clinicians may perform a cesarean section even when it’s not strictly necessary. The federal government needs a regulatory framework to ensure that the procedure is performed only when medically indicated,” he said, adding “such a measure would preserve resources for women in genuine need of surgical intervention.”

The physician further recommended expanding the new policy to cover antenatal care and normal deliveries.

“Covering routine antenatal care and normal delivery would allow doctors to identify at risk pregnancies early,” he said, “If doctors can manage risk factors throughout the pregnancy, it would reduce the number of emergency cesareans and help doctors manage risk factors such as infection, bleeding, and obstructed labour.”

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