Nigeria’s maternal death review system remains fragmented
A historical policy review found that maternal and perinatal death reviews were better established in facilities than communities, with uneven implementation across states.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review describes a national effort that has expanded in scope but remains divided between facilities and communities. National adoption has not translated into consistent local implementation. These findings identify policy and implementation gaps; the abstract does not establish whether the surveillance system, or any proposed reform, reduced maternal or perinatal deaths.
This abstract-based account does not provide the historical period covered, document-level quality assessments, or measured effects on deaths. It describes policy development without establishing the effectiveness of proposed reforms.
How policy changed
The authors describe a progression from reviewing maternal deaths in facilities toward wider coverage of perinatal deaths and community events. Federal policymakers and professional associations supported national adoption, while state uptake depended on political commitment and capacity.
Where implementation stalls
Facility programmes were more established. Community programmes remained limited and often donor-driven, with inconsistent connections to facilities. Weak legal support, limited local capacity, difficulties for frontline staff, and uneven community participation were reported as barriers to sustainability.
The original publication
Tracking and appraising maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response implementation in Nigeria: a historical timeline and policy analysis.
Akinlusi FM, Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Imosemi D et al.
Reprod Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41299479
- Record checked
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