NHIA Expands Health Insurance to Newborns, Partners With Neonatal Experts
Nigeria Takes Major Step to Reduce High Neonatal Mortality Rates
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has unveiled groundbreaking plans to extend healthcare coverage to Nigeria’s most vulnerable population – newborns. This strategic move aims to incorporate comprehensive neonatal care into the existing Financing Access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) programme.
Addressing Nigeria’s Neonatal Health Crisis
During a high-level meeting in Abuja, NHIA Director-General Kelechi Ohiri announced the initiative while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM). The expansion comes as Nigeria battles some of the world’s worst neonatal mortality statistics, with approximately 34 deaths per 1,000 live births – more than double the global average.
“The transition to newborn care is a natural next step,” Ohiri emphasized. “Newborns deserve access to timely, high-quality care, and we are committed to making that possible without creating financial hardship for families.”
Building on Maternal Health Success
The maternal health component of the CEmOC programme, operational for nearly a year, has already provided life-saving interventions to over 6,000 vulnerable women facing obstetric complications across Nigeria. This success has paved the way for the neonatal expansion.
The new initiative will be developed in close collaboration with NISONM through a data-driven approach that addresses both:
- Demand-side barriers (financial access, awareness)
- Supply-side challenges (facility readiness, skilled personnel)
Multi-Sectoral Approach to Newborn Survival
Ohiri stressed that achieving meaningful impact requires collaboration beyond the health sector. The NHIA plans to work with:
- National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA)
- Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC)
- SWAp Coordination Office
“Beyond financial access, we must ensure facilities are adequately equipped, staff are well-trained, and essential supplies are available,” Ohiri noted.
Expert Support and Technical Assistance
The NISONM delegation, including prominent neonatologists Mariya Muhktar-Yola, Iretiola Fajolu, Tongo, and Obum Ezeanosike, pledged full technical support for the initiative. Their expertise will be crucial in developing targeted interventions for Nigeria’s newborns.
The Urgent Need for Action
Nigeria’s neonatal crisis demands urgent attention:
- Most deaths occur in the first week of life
- Primary causes: prematurity, birth asphyxia, and sepsis
- Severe regional disparities, particularly in North-West and North-Central zones
Improving neonatal survival rates is critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.2, which targets reducing neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030.
The Path Forward
Health experts emphasize that successful interventions must be:
- Regionally tailored to address specific local challenges
- Community-sensitive to ensure cultural appropriateness
- Supported by robust health financing mechanisms
This collaboration between NHIA and neonatal specialists represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s journey toward universal health coverage and improved child health outcomes.
Source: Premium Times