New Emergency Obstetrical Facility Opens in Maiduguri

New Emergency Obstetrical Facility Opens in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

In a significant stride towards addressing maternal and neonatal mortality in the state of Borno, a new emergency medical facility has been inaugurated today in the state’s capital city, Maiduguri. Run by the Ministry of Health, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) will provide technical and financial support for at least three years. The facility will provide life-saving care to women facing obstetrical complications and neonates requiring urgent medical attention.

Built by medical charity MSF and operated under the auspices of the Borno Ministry of Health, the 92-bed facility will operate as a referral center, exclusively admitting patients referred by other selected medical institutions to provide specialized care for obstetrical complications and neonatal emergencies, ensuring that individuals in critical condition receive prompt and proficient treatment. Operational Phase 1 will open with 20 adult beds and 10 neonatal beds ramping up to full capacity by July 2025.

The strategic partnership between the Borno Ministry of Health and MSF in this large-scale project underscores a shared commitment to increasing access to healthcare and combating preventable deaths.

“The opening of this facility marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to strengthen maternal and infant care services in Borno”, said Professor Abubakar Kullima, Chief Medical Director of Borno State Hospital Management Board. “Reducing the devastating impact of maternal and infant deaths is an absolute priority for the Borno government, and the Ministry of Health is committed to make this facility an excellence centre in this objective.

The invaluable support from MSF in this project will be key in achieving this.”
Until 2029, the international medical charity MSF will provide medical and financial support to the Ministry of Health staff to increase its autonomy in delivering high-quality maternal and neonatal care services. In the coming five years, a gradual transition plan will be implemented to transfer competencies and knowledge and complete withdrawal of MSF from the facility.

“We are most delighted to partner with the State Ministry of Health for such an important, life-saving project” said Karsten Noko, MSF head of mission in Nigeria. “With Borno State continuing to grapple with high mortality rates among mothers and newborns, the inauguration of this referral facility signifies a beacon of hope for women with obstetric complications. Yet, much more remains to be done to increase access to antenatal care for women, to detect and treat complications before they become a threat. Investment in basic maternal care for all women remains key to reduce the alarming rates of maternal and infant deaths in this region.”

The facility could provide care to over 7,000 women in need on a yearly basis. Admissions to the facility will be done through referrals from selected basic emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere LGAs. MSF supports six of these centres.

New Emergency Obstetrical Facility Opens in Maiduguri