Federal Government has commenced the distribution of 215,000 MAMA kits to vulnerable pregnant women and families in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative is being implemented under the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a government programme designed to improve access to antenatal, delivery and postnatal care in communities with limited healthcare services.
In addition to the maternal kits, the government is distributing 40,000 maternal food-support packs and 40,000 newborn clothing sets as part of the intervention.
The MAMA kits contain basic medical and hygiene supplies intended to support women during childbirth and the immediate care of newborns.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria, said the intervention was aimed at ensuring safer pregnancies and childbirth.
“This occasion represents a further step towards ensuring that every Nigerian child has a healthy start in life and that no woman loses her life while giving birth.”
She said MAMII represented a “bold national intervention” focused on reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths through improved awareness, emergency care and referral systems.
“As a mother, I believe pregnancy and childbirth should be moments of hope and joy, with every woman having access to quality care,” she said.
The First Lady explained that the current distribution represents the second batch of MAMA kits, following the distribution of 110,000 kits in 2025.
She said the government would also extend the intervention to additional local government areas recording low uptake of MAMII services.
According to her, the incentives are intended to encourage women from poorer communities to attend antenatal clinics, prepare adequately for childbirth and remain connected to healthcare services after delivery.
“The maternal food support equally recognises that the health and nutrition of a mother are essential to a healthy pregnancy, safe delivery, and a healthy newborn,” Oluremi said.
She also said the newborn clothing would help ensure that babies are received with dignity and care.
“The newborn clothing represents the administration’s commitment to welcoming every Nigerian child with dignity, warmth, and care.”
Also speaking, Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to improve access to essential maternal and newborn healthcare services.
Pate said the government was targeting a 30 percent reduction in maternal mortality and a 20 percent reduction in newborn mortality by 2028.
He added that MAMII interventions were being implemented across states, with attention to emergency obstetric and newborn care, referral systems, transportation and primary healthcare.
The First Lady urged stakeholders, development partners and philanthropists to support the initiative and ensure that the materials reach women in underserved communities.
