This year on World Health Day, we were reminded that health is the foundation of human potential, societal progress, and national prosperity. The theme for 2025, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” underscores the urgent need to ensure that every woman and newborn not only survives but thrives. In Nigeria, this message resonates deeply. Our journey toward a healthier nation begins with strong Primary Health Care (PHC) systems that support mothers, babies, and communities from the very start.

Despite progress, Nigeria continues to face unacceptably high rates of maternal and newborn mortality, much of it preventable. Every day, too many Nigerian women die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and too many newborns fail to survive the critical first days and weeks of life. These tragic outcomes are not just statistics; they are lost futures, broken families, and missed opportunities to build a stronger nation. Most of these deaths occur in fragile settings, underserved rural communities, and among our most vulnerable populations. The common thread is gaps in access to quality healthcare- before, during, and after birth.

Primary Health Care (PHC) is not just a service, it is a philosophy of care that is accessible, affordable, and centered around people’s real needs. A robust healthcare system offers comprehensive maternal and newborn care, routine immunizations, nutrition support, mental health services, family planning, and early detection of diseases. When healthcare works, lives are saved and healthier futures become possible.

Investing in maternal and newborn health is a moral imperative and a smart economic decision. In low and middle-income countries, every $1 invested in maternal and newborn health yields a return of $9 to $20. These investments build human capital, power economic growth, and create resilient communities. Women who are healthy can participate more fully in education, work, and family life. Children born healthy are more likely to thrive, learn, and contribute to society. Empowering women’s health rights is not just a health goal, it is a development strategy.

If we are serious about ending maternal and newborn deaths, we must prioritize equity. Too many Nigerians, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas, still lack access to even basic healthcare. These are the areas where deaths are most concentrated and where impact can be greatest.

Initiatives like Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Program (NHSRIP) and the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Fund (PHC-LCF) are bold, strategic efforts that show what is possible when leadership aligns with vision and action. These programs empower states to take ownership of PHC, improve service delivery, and strengthen accountability.

One of the most effective interventions we can make is investing in midwifery care models, which improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary medical interventions. Similarly, family planning services remain one of the most underutilized yet powerful tools in reducing maternal deaths. In Nigeria, 218 million women in low and middle income countries still have unmet needs for modern contraception. Closing this gap can reduce unintended pregnancies and high-risk births.

Moreover, women must be treated with dignity, empathy, and respect throughout their reproductive journey, from antenatal care to postnatal recovery. Care must be safe and compassionate, with dedicated support for those affected by miscarriage or stillbirth.

Beyond survival, women must thrive, as around 1 in 5 women globally experience postnatal depression or anxiety. In Nigeria, these conditions are often unrecognized and untreated. Integrated care that links physical, emotional, and social support especially after childbirth, is essential.

Women deserve comprehensive postnatal care, including monitoring for long-term health complications, mental health support, and guidance on newborn care. Strengthening these services should be a national priority.

A healthier Nigeria is within reach as we commit to a nation where no woman dies giving life and no child is denied the right to a healthy start. Let us envision a Nigeria where every Primary Health Care center is equipped, staffed, and ready to serve its community — a Nigeria where PHC is not an afterthought but the foundation of our national health system. A Nigeria where data-driven policies, cross-sector collaboration, and community voices guide action.

Let us amplify the call for #HopefulFutures and #HealthyBeginnings.

Here are ways forward:

1. Prioritize PHC financing: Ensure adequate, transparent, and equitable allocation of health funds, especially for underserved communities.
2. Invest in health workers: Train, support, and retain a motivated PHC workforce, especially midwives and community health workers.
3. Strengthen PHC infrastructure: Equip PHC centers with essential supplies, technology, and referral capabilities.
4. Focus on accountability: Empower states to lead reforms through the PHC-LCF and similar initiatives.
5. Promote community ownership: Engage religious leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society to build trust and local solutions.

The road ahead is long, but the destination is clear: a healthier, more just, and more resilient Nigeria.

Together, we can give every Nigerian mother and child a healthy beginning and the hopeful future they deserve.

Cornelius Ohonsi, Public Health Specialist