What is the NHIA (CEmONC) Concession
It is a health financing initiative developed by the Federal Government to fulfil the Renewed Hope Initiative. It removes catastrophic out-of-pocket spending by vulnerable families when faced with the immediate need for emergency care for premature babies or sick newborns, and it encourages early referral by birthing practitioners. It is being implemented by the NHIA, a Federal Government social insurance program.
CEmONC stands for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care. The maternal component was initiated nationally two years ago by the Federal Government through the NHIA. It was commissioned for public maternity hospitals at the secondary and tertiary levels of care.
The expected reduction in the maternal mortality rate was achieved.
In October 2025, Nigeria’s dismal neonatal mortality rate was addressed nationwide through the launch of a pilot program. In Lagos State, two public hospitals and one private hospital were engaged.
The private hospital chosen was Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital—specifically the Festac and Osapa branches. It is hoped that, after two years, the neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria will have declined significantly.
Is the Care of Preterm Babies & Neonates From Qualified Families Really 100% Free?
Vulnerable families with emergencies can access acute care without paying for acute medical services. It is 100% free during the period of hospital care.
Why Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital?
Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital is a multisite acute facility with a strong emphasis on developing a robust neonatal ecosystem in Nigeria.
Our current system has 40 neonatal beds, with plans to increase neonatal capacity in Lagos to 135 and to open a new centre in Kano that will provide care for 80 neonates by December 2026.
Outreach hospital provides acute service delivery, capacity building for healthcare practitioners in Emergency Neonatology and advocacy.
The brain behind Outreach Women and Children’s Hospital is Dr Efunbo Dosekun, a Senior Paediatrician/Neonatologist with over 45 years of experience as a physician. Since returning from the UK 17 years ago, she has worked tirelessly to develop a model of care appropriate for low-resource countries, leveraging new medical technologies and integrating facility-based care with a structured network of birthing practitioners across Lagos State.
The Federal Government recognised the passion in her and her team, together with their doggedness for positive change and resilience.
Who Is the Program For?
The eligible babies include preterm babies (>28 weeks of gestation) and newborn babies less than 28 days old.
What Quality of Care Should Families Expect From Outreach Hospital Through Its Partnership With NHIA?
- Patient-centred care: Sensitivity in engaging with the parents, detailed sharing of information on diagnosis and test results, and informed consent for procedures/operations.
- Timeliness: Speed in care delivery.
- Effectiveness: Effective and efficient medical intervention.
- Safety: Preventing harm during medical care.
- Mothercraft: Training for mothers.
- Financial protection: No payment for medical care.
- Follow-up: Monitoring of health after discharge.
How Can Vulnerable Families Access This Care?
Please call the hospital response phone numbers:
- Festac: 07066004574, 09135088720
- Osapa: 09069126965, 0804545184
Our Promise to Families of Preterm Babies & Neonates
For babies >28 weeks and neonates <28 days, all efforts will be made to provide the best quality care, prevent death and disability sequelae. Parents are advised that late presentation may adversely affect outcomes. Good results require early referral and appropriate resuscitation in the referring hospital prior to referral.
