In the quiet, tense moments before dawn, the cries of 35-year-old Mrs. Hauwa Usman Gambaki told a familiar yet harrowing tale-one that many women endure but few overcome. It is a narrative woven with pain, bravery, and fragile hope. Like numerous expectant mothers throughout Nigeria, she confronted the daunting uncertainty of childbirth without guaranteed medical support. However, this time, her experience was transformed by the National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) Comprehensive Emergency Maternal, Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEmONC) initiative, a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
As Nigerians and analysts alike evaluate the progress of President Tinubu’s administration, particularly in healthcare, one program shines distinctly. The NHIA’s CEmONC initiative has not only saved a woman from life-threatening complications but has also brought new life into the world-quadruplets-marking a significant achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Celebrated as a landmark success, the CEmONC program recently recorded its first quadruplet delivery in Azare local government area of Bauchi State. This event underscores the program’s core mission: ensuring no woman faces childbirth unsupported and every newborn has a fighting chance at life.
Mrs. Hauwa Gambaki, overwhelmed with joy, expressed profound gratitude for the safe delivery of her quadruplets. Remarkably, all medical expenses-from surgery and medications to blood transfusions-were fully covered by the CEmONC program, making her one of its earliest beneficiaries.
During a visit to Gambaki’s village, located 35 kilometers from Azare, LEADERSHIP Sunday learned about her journey. Hauwa, a mother of five, shared how she endured her pregnancy with quiet resilience and hope, despite lacking access to adequate prenatal care common in urban areas. Each day was a test of faith, as she prayed for the safe arrival of her babies.
She recounted, “One night, my worst nightmare came true-I began to bleed heavily. My husband, a subsistence farmer struggling to provide for us, was overwhelmed. With little money and no certainty about the hospital’s care, he was filled with fear.”
“Yet, despite his worries, he refused to give up. Driven by desperation and hope, he embarked on the long journey to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare (FUHSTHA). What awaited us there was nothing short of miraculous.”
At FUHSTHA, medical staff promptly attended to Hauwa. Initially expecting triplets, doctors discovered she was carrying quadruplets-two boys and two girls. Thanks to timely surgery, blood transfusions, and essential medications, Hauwa and her babies survived the high-risk delivery.
What touched Hauwa most deeply was that she did not pay a single naira. “Every expense-from the operation to the medications, blood transfusions, and even my stay in the free amenity ward-was covered by the CEmONC program,” she said with heartfelt relief.
For the Gambaki family, who could never have afforded such specialized care, the program was more than medical aid-it was a lifeline, a beacon of hope, and a safeguard against tragedy. To them, CEmONC represents a vital connection between despair and hope, between life and death.
LEADERSHIP Sunday highlights this story as a powerful example of the tangible benefits stemming from the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on enhancing maternal and child healthcare.
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director General of the NHIA, emphasized the critical need to shield Nigerians from the financial burdens of healthcare. “Out-of-pocket payments are daunting and unsustainable. Institutions like NHIA exist to protect citizens from such hardships when accessing medical care,” he stated.
Dr. Ohiri further explained that the CEmONC program aligns with the broader vision championed by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, under President Tinubu’s leadership. It reflects a health-100m-nigerians/” title=”RenewHER Launches Ambitious Campaign to Transform Women's … for 100 Million Nigerians”>national pledge to broaden healthcare coverage for all Nigerians.
“For decades, Nigeria has sought to expand health insurance as a means to mobilize resources effectively. Over the past two years, this administration has strengthened NHIA’s regulatory role, accelerating insurance enrollment in partnership with states,” he added.
“Currently, 20 million Nigerians are enrolled in health insurance-the highest ever recorded. Just a few years ago, the figure was 16 million. This growth of four million enrollees in two years signals positive momentum, with many states progressing steadily.”
Supporting this outlook, NHIA’s assistant director in Bauchi State, Shamsuddeen Yahaya, described the quadruplet delivery as a “national success story.” He confirmed that the mother received comprehensive surgical care at no cost through the CEmONC program, demonstrating the initiative’s real-world impact in Bauchi.
LEADERSHIP Sunday also observed the hospital community’s warm support for the Gambaki family. The chief medical director’s wife, hospital staff, and local well-wishers presented essential baby supplies, ensuring the quadruplets and their mother were welcomed with care and dignity.
Today, Hauwa is recovering well, and her babies are thriving. Her husband, once filled with anxiety, now beams with relief, gratitude, and renewed optimism.
Expressing thanks for the support, Mr. Gambaki remarked, “This experience proves that when leadership is combined with compassion, even the most vulnerable can look forward to a brighter future.”
Local residents Aisha Musa and Ibrahim Bello shared their joy and hope. “This is a blessing for our community,” Aisha said with a smile. “It shows that with proper support, miracles can happen here too.”
Ibrahim added, “Childbirth used to be a source of fear because of the risks involved. But seeing how Hauwa and her babies were cared for gives me hope that things are truly improving.”
Fatima Lawal, founder of the ‘Save Child, Save Mother Initiative’ in Bauchi State, praised the program’s success. “Delivering quadruplets through the CEmONC program is a remarkable achievement. It proves that committed government policies, combined with community involvement, can save lives. This milestone renews our hope for maternal and child health in Bauchi,” she said.
