INSECURITY AND ACCESS TO MATERNAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Insecurity in Nigeria, characterized by armed conflicts, terrorism, banditry, and communal
clashes, significantly impedes access to maternal healthcare services, exacerbating the
country’s high maternal mortality rates. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of
insecurity on maternal healthcare access, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as the
Northeast and Northwest. It explores how insecurity disrupts healthcare infrastructure,
displaces populations, and instills fear, limiting women’s ability to access essential services like
antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and emergency obstetric care. The destruction of health
facilities, shortage of healthcare workers, and disruption of health programs further compound
these challenges, disproportionately affecting rural women and internally displaced persons
(IDPs). Socio-economic inequalities, cultural beliefs, and psychological stress also interact with
insecurity to hinder health-seeking behaviors, increasing reliance on unskilled traditional birth
attendants and elevating risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Drawing on a
comprehensive review of literature and contextual analysis, this study highlights the systemic
and socio-cultural barriers amplified by insecurity. Recommendations include increased
investment in healthcare infrastructure, strategies to retain healthcare professionals in conflict
zones, women’s empowerment through education, and collaborative efforts among
government, NGOs, and international partners to enhance security and maternal health
outcomes. By addressing these barriers, Nigeria can progress toward achieving Sustainable
Development Goals related to maternal health, reducing the maternal mortality ratio, and
ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for all women, particularly in
vulnerable and conflict-affected regions.