Lagos Govt Pioneers New Approach to Reduce Maternal Mortality
Says 7,800 lives saved in 2024
Segun James
The Lagos state government has successfully implemented a new system called MamaBase, a maternal health initiative developed as a collaboration between the state government and public health experts at the Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) Collective.
In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 79,500 Nigerian women died from childbirth-related causes, nearly 29 per cent of global maternal deaths. Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most densely populated states, was named as accounting for a majority of the mortality.
As part of its response to such a negative figure, the state government in response provided resources and support for scientists working at MRH Collective to pilot the “MamaBase” initiative in the state.
Through this medical revolution, about 7,800 lives were saved in 2024, with the MamaBase programme built on a data-driven framework called M.I.L.E.S. (Mapping, Identifying, Linking, Educating, and Supporting).
The state government worked with the MRH team to implement the programme that identifies at-risk pregnant women, connects them to antenatal and delivery care, and provides consistent support and follow-up throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
According to the Founder and Chairman of MRH Collective, Prof. Bosede Afolabi: “The results speak for themselves. Our goal was to stay with every woman from start to finish, and what we’re particularly happy about is that the Lagos State Government was a willing and able partner in every facet of our journey.”
Between October 2023 and September 2024, the team from the Lagos State Government and MamaBase recruited 7,883 pregnant women across Lagos. Of those, 99.9 per cent survived childbirth, it was learnt.
The governor said that this is a dramatic improvement compared to the national maternal mortality rate of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, with more than 80 per cent of the women delivered in health facilities with skilled birth attendants, and 60 per cent completed four or more antenatal visits, an essential indicator of safe outcomes.
“The programme achieved a maternal mortality rate of just 123 per 100,000 live births, nearly 10 times lower than the national average,” it said.
According to the Special Adviser on Health to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi: “MamaBase aligns with the government’s goal of building a more inclusive, resilient health system, one that prioritises preventive care, strengthens primary healthcare and ensures that no woman is left behind during pregnancy and childbirth.
“As a government, we have consistently demonstrated this commitment and are proud to be a part of developing this model that will potentially save the lives of many women, not just in Lagos, but across the entire country”.
