Funding and Policy Issues as Experts Discuss Maternal Health in Africa

Global health experts are preparing to meet in Nairobi, Kenya, for an important dialogue focused on enhancing policies and domestic funding for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) across Africa.

A press release shared with PREMIUM TIMES indicates that this meeting, which is part of the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference 2026 (IMNHC), will take place on March 24 at the EDGE Convention Centre.

The event is being hosted by the SMART Advocacy for Strategic Action Alliance (SASA) alongside various partners, including SAMASHA Medical Foundation, Health NGOs Network (HENNET), Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK), and the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH).

Additional collaborators include the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Jhpiego Kenya, Pathfinder International Nigeria, and Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO).

Organizers have stated that the theme for the dialogue is "Shaping the Future of MNCH Policy and Health Financing for Healthier Mothers and Newborns," and it will gather a diverse group of policymakers, legislators, civil society leaders, donors, researchers, and media representatives.

The main objective is to outline effective approaches to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and newborn survival.

However, the organizers noted that the advancement in maternal and newborn health remains uneven due to financing gaps, weak accountability frameworks, and other competing priorities that hinder progress.

The discussions will likely center on strategies to maintain and increase investments in maternal and newborn health, especially amidst growing financial limitations in many countries. The Regional Project Director of the SASA Project, Sally Njiri, emphasized that mounting financing pressures in the region compel a rethinking of advocacy strategies to ensure that limited resources are utilized more effectively, partnerships are fortified, and country-specific priorities take precedence in MNCH investments.

This dialogue will also bring attention to country-specific advocacy and funding priorities from nations including Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ethiopia.

Patrick Mugirwa, the Acting Regional Director/Programme Manager at PPD ARO, expressed concerns regarding the fragile advocacy systems surrounding family planning and MNCH, citing factors such as frequent governmental changes, emergent competing priorities, and shrinking resources as critical challenges.

Organizers have informed that the sessions will feature keynote addresses, panel debates, and interactive exchanges that will tackle topics such as domestic resource mobilization, budget accountability, and necessary policy reforms.

Amina Dorayi, Regional Portfolio Director of West and Central Africa at Pathfinder International, mentioned that improving MNCH outcomes necessitates not just elevated financing but also stronger accountability measures and consistent political commitment to ensure that resources effectively convert into quality services for women and children.

She further stated that Africa needs to continuously align its advocacy, policy, and financial initiatives to preserve gains made and hasten progress towards equitable health results.

The conference is expected to yield recommendations regarding policies and financing that will provide direction for future advocacy efforts, inform donors' investments, and enhance consistency with the IMNHC 2026’s goals.

Maternal, newborn, and child health continues to be a critical public health issue in Africa, which holds a significant proportion of global mortality rates in these areas. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 260,000 women died from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth globally in 2023, with sub-Saharan Africa contributing around 70% of these fatalities.

Moreover, the region faces high rates of newborn mortality, with estimates indicating 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, primarily due to avoidable causes such as complications during birth, infections, and preterm conditions.

In Nigeria especially, maternal and newborn mortality remains disturbingly high, reflecting significant deficiencies in accessing quality healthcare services. Reports reveal that Nigeria accounted for nearly 28.3% of global maternal death statistics, positioning it among the hardest-hit countries in the world.

The country has a maternal mortality rate of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, and newborn mortality too is a major concern, with many fatalities occurring in the first month of life from preventable causes like birth asphyxia and infections. Experts point to issues such as inadequate health infrastructure, shortages of qualified health personnel, delays in care access, and high out-of-pocket expenses as contributors to poor health outcomes.

Despite various interventions, the pace of improvement remains sluggish, raising alarm over Nigeria's capability to meet the SDGs’ targets concerning maternal and newborn health by 2030.

The dialogue aims not only to strengthen cooperation across different sectors and nations but also to ensure that reforms in policy, financial commitments, and advocacy translate into improved health outcomes for mothers and newborns. It is anticipated that the outcomes will establish country-led priorities and shared insights that can inform post-conference advocacy and investment strategies geared towards the global health targets set for 2030.