First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Monday unveiled a national healthcare incentive programme aimed at accelerating access to essential maternal and newborn care services.
Speaking at the launch event at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said the initiative was designed to dismantle financial barriers preventing expectant mothers from seeking proper medical care.
The incentives launched under the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) include 215,000 additional MAMaCare kits and bags, 40,000 maternal food support packs and 40,000 newborn care sets.
Tinubu said the intervention was designed to address social, economic, cultural and logistical barriers that continued to prevent women, particularly those in vulnerable and underserved communities, from accessing essential maternal and newborn healthcare services.
She said the latest distribution followed the initial provision of 110,000 MAMaCare kits in 2025.
The First Lady said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would extend the distribution of the maternal food support and newborn care packages to additional Local Government Areas identified as having low uptake of MAMaCare incentives.
According to her, the practical support would encourage less privileged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics, prepare adequately for delivery and continue receiving essential care after childbirth.
“As a mother, I believe pregnancy and childbirth should be moments of hope and joy, with every woman having access to quality care.
“However, social, economic, cultural and logistical barriers still exist. This is what makes today’s flag-off particularly significant,” she said.
She said the newborn care package represented the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child was welcomed with dignity, warmth and care.
She added that the maternal food support recognised the importance of maternal nutrition to a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery and a healthy newborn.
The First Lady called on state and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders to support the initiative by ensuring that the incentives reached women in vulnerable and underserved communities.
She said sustainable progress in health and development required strong partnerships among government and relevant stakeholders.
She also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and his team for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the country.
She said the intervention was in line with the health renewal agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which recognises health as an essential pillar of national development.
