FG Maternal Care Programme Removes Financial Barriers To Emergency Treatment
NHIA Moves to Protect Pregnant Women
THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has reaffirmed that no woman should lose her life because she cannot afford treatment during pregnancy-related emergencies.
The Director-General of the agency, Kelechi Ohiri, stated this in an interview in Abuja while discussing a Federal Government intervention aimed at improving access to emergency maternal healthcare.
According to him, the programme ensures that pregnant women who arrive at hospitals with life-threatening complications receive immediate treatment without being required to pay upfront before care begins.
Ending Delays in Emergency Care
Ohiri said delays in treatment caused by financial constraints remain one of the major contributors to maternal deaths.
He explained that under normal circumstances, many patients are required to make payments before they can receive treatment in hospitals.
However, when families are unable to provide the required funds quickly, patients are either referred elsewhere or forced to wait while relatives attempt to raise money.
Such delays, he noted, can prove fatal for women experiencing complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
“What we are essentially saying is that when a woman has a complication in pregnancy and goes to the hospital, money should not be the problem,” Ohiri said.
Free Emergency Treatment Under the Programme
Under the intervention programme, accredited health facilities provide emergency care to pregnant women free at the point of service.
The NHIA subsequently reimburses the hospitals for the cost of treatment.
The initiative forms part of broader health reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), a Federal Government programme aimed at strengthening governance, financing and service delivery in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
According to Ohiri, the NHIA plays a key role in implementing these reforms by expanding insurance coverage and improving how healthcare services are purchased and delivered.
Shift Toward Quality-Driven Healthcare
The NHIA chief explained that the authority is moving from a passive reimbursement model to strategic purchasing, where payments to healthcare providers are linked to quality standards.
Hospitals participating in the scheme must meet accreditation requirements and comply with quality benchmarks.
To support the reform, the NHIA has strengthened compliance monitoring and introduced a one-hour pre-authorisation system designed to speed up approval for treatment.
The authority has also digitised accreditation and quality assessments using the SafeCare platform, while deploying compliance officers to monitor participating hospitals.
According to Ohiri, linking payment to quality standards encourages healthcare providers to improve services.
“When payment is tied to standards, providers invest more in infrastructure, skilled personnel and stronger emergency obstetric care systems,” he said.
Addressing Maternal Mortality
Ohiri said the programme also targets Nigeria’s persistent maternal mortality challenge by directing pregnant women to hospitals that are properly equipped to manage complications.
By linking reimbursement to accreditation for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care, the NHIA ensures that only capable facilities provide such services.
He explained that maternal deaths often occur due to fragmented healthcare services, weak infrastructure and low-capacity facilities.
“By shaping the healthcare market to reward quality care, insurance can help discourage unsafe practices and improve outcomes for mothers and babies,” he added.
Thousands Already Benefiting
The NHIA Director-General revealed that since the emergency maternal care programme began in October 2024, nearly 40,000 women across Nigeria have received treatment under the scheme.
Many of the beneficiaries arrived at hospitals with severe complications, including heavy bleeding or conditions requiring emergency caesarean sections.
Under the programme, they were treated immediately without payment, while the NHIA covered the cost of care.
Expanding Health Insurance Coverage
Ohiri also highlighted progress in expanding health insurance coverage nationwide.
He said enrolment under NHIA programmes grew by 34 per cent, rising to approximately 21.7 million Nigerians between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2025.
In addition, five NHIA programmes targeted at vulnerable populations are providing financial protection for millions of underserved citizens.
Despite the progress, Ohiri noted that healthcare reforms remain complex and require sustained political commitment and coordination to achieve lasting impact.
He emphasised that the overall goal of the reforms is to improve healthcare access, strengthen equity and ensure better quality services for Nigerians.
