Abia Assembly Pushes Forward Bill for Free Maternity Care
The Abia State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill that seeks to provide free pre-natal and post-natal care for all legally married pregnant women in the state.
The proposed legislation aims to reduce the challenges faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth, and ultimately curb the high rate of maternal and infant mortality in the state.
Bill to Provide Comprehensive Maternal Healthcare
If passed into law, the bill would ensure:
Free access to medications and supplements
Nutritional support for expecting mothers
Professional medical supervision throughout pregnancy
Post-natal care for both mother and baby
Services available at accredited public healthcare facilities
The bill was sponsored by Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., representing Obingwa West constituency.
Legislator Cites Urgency of Maternal Health Crisis
Reference to UNICEF Recommendations
Erondu explained that the bill stems from a recent high-level UNICEF meeting in Enugu, attended by eight states including Abia. At the meeting, participants were mandated to domesticate maternal and child healthcare improvement laws in their respective states.
“Inadequate medical care and poor nutrition continue to threaten or claim the lives of pregnant women and newborns in Abia and across Nigeria,” Erondu stated during the session.
Maternal Mortality: A Growing Concern in Nigeria
Erondu expressed deep concern over the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where access to affordable healthcare is limited. He pointed out that unlike in developed countries, systems to protect pregnant women and infants remain underdeveloped in Nigeria.
“The disparity in maternal care between Africa and developed nations is alarming. This bill is a step toward bridging that gap,” he added.
Support for Exclusive Breastfeeding and Nutrition
Beyond medical supervision, the bill also advocates for the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and improved maternal nutrition. The lawmaker emphasized that these elements are crucial to ensuring the healthy development of infants and the well-being of mothers.
Next Steps for the Bill
The bill has now passed its second reading and will proceed to the committee stage, where it will undergo further review and stakeholder input before a possible third reading and final passage.
If successfully passed and signed into law, Abia would become one of the few Nigerian states offering comprehensive, state-funded maternal care to legally married pregnant women.
