Ensuring Painless Childbirth: World Health Organisation’s Safe Motherhood Initiative on Maternal Healthcare and Nigeria's Response,1987-1988

Abstract

 In 1987, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the Safe
Motherhood Initiative to combat the global maternal mortality crisis, with a
particular focus on developing countries. The initiative sought to make
childbirth safer and less burdensome by enhancing access to healthcare
services, promoting skilled birth attendance, and strengthening maternal
health systems. Nigeria, with its alarmingly high maternal mortality rates,
became a significant focus of these efforts. This article examines the state of maternal healthcare prior to the introduction of the Safe Motherhood
Initiative and evaluates Nigeria's response during 1987-1988. It explores the policies adopted, the challenges faced, and the socio-cultural factors shaping maternal health outcomes. Using a qualitative approach, the study critically analyses primary and secondary data from government efforts, healthcare infrastructure, and international collaborations. The findings reveal that maternal healthcare services in Nigeria were severely underdeveloped and insufficient before the initiative. However, Nigeria's response to the program  was largely passive, limiting its overall effectiveness and impact on the country's healthcare system. The study highlights both the achievements and limitations of Nigeria's engagement with the initiative and emphasises the importance of aligning national efforts with the broader global maternal health agenda.