The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund is set to host its Fireside Chat, a conversation on “Breaking Barriers to Maternal Health Equity’ on April 30, in Abuja.
Maternal health equity means that every woman, regardless of her location, income, education, ethnicity, or status, has a fair and just opportunity to have a safe pregnancy and childbirth experience.
In Nigeria, significant disparities exist: rural women, poor women, women in conflict zones, and marginalized ethnic groups suffer far worse outcomes.
“The NSSF Fireside Chat returns this Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with a powerful theme: “Breaking Barriers to Maternal Health Equity: The Role of Health Insurance in Promoting Women’s Wellness.”
Referencing statistics on Staggering Numbers of Nigeria’s Maternal Child Health, NSSF notes:
“1, 047 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births
“Over 1,000 mothers lose their lives due to pregnancy related complications
“Nigeria accounts for 14-20 per cent of all global maternal Deaths
According to the fund, these numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives lost, futures altered, and families affected.
“We are coming together to say: enough is enough.
“This edition is focused on real solutions: expanding insurance coverage to include women’s wellness services, designing gender-inclusive policies, and introducing innovative models like wellness vouchers for low-income women.
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director General/CEO, National Health Insurance Authority, was the Keynote speaker and panelist at the event.
Others included, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director, Head of Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Panelist
Dr Mojisola Odeku, Senior Officer: Advocacy & Partnership & Government & Multi Lateral Relations & Strategic Programming: Partnerships Nigeria, Gates Foundation, Panelist.
Dr Adedayo Aderibigbe, Consultant Physician and Public Health Specialist, Speaker
Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, Managing Director/CEO, NSSF, Speaker.
The venue of the Fireside chat is Inter Trade Ltd, Gwarinpa, Abuja at 1.00 p.m. It is an hybrid event.
