Part of the webinar featured a panel discussion on strategies to sustain the gains in MNCH while accelerating progress to reach the SDG targets. Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, the director and acting head of the reproductive health division at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, outlined several innovative strategies that Nigeria has employed. These include implementing and adopting national policies through agreements with state governors and expanding health insurance coverage, ensuring communities have continued access to health care. Nigeria is also investing in local manufacturing of medical supplies to manage the cost of commodities and has launched a national emergency transport system to improve access to facilities.
Nonkululeko Shibula, founder of Umzanyana Birth Services in South Africa, shared her personal experience as a grieving mother and emphasized the need for empathetic care, especially for women experiencing stillbirths. She advocated for the establishment of bereavement protocols, comprehensive antenatal education, and holistic physical and mental support for mothers. Finally, Iyadunni Olubode, who leads MSD for Mothers programs in Kenya and Nigeria, highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable progress. She stressed the importance of government-led, data-driven, cost-effective, and collaborative solutions to accelerate progress.
Collectively, these recommendations represent a multisectoral, people-centered approach to accelerating MNCH outcomes across Africa.
As Africa navigates a shifting aid landscape, the urgency to protect and advance MNCH has never been greater. The insights shared during this webinar underscore that while the challenges are significant, so too is the potential for progress. By investing in resilient health systems, fostering empathetic and inclusive care, and strengthening partnerships rooted in local leadership and sustainability, African countries can chart a bold path forward toward attaining health goals for women and children.
The full English webinar recording can be accessed here.
Click here to register for part two of the regional MNCH advocacy dialogue on “Rethinking the future of maternal and child survival in Africa in a changing aid landscape,” scheduled for July 30, 2025.