Kwara State has launched a major health intervention aimed at benefiting over 200,000 children under five years old.
This initiative, announced by the state’s First Lady, Amb. Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, will take place during a week-long event in Ilorin, the state capital.
The programme is organised by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Ministry of Health.
It includes a range of services such as immunisations, birth registration, nutritional assessments, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and growth monitoring for young children. Additionally, the intervention will provide free ante-natal care services to 100,000 pregnant women, including essential medications and anti-malaria drugs.
The goal of the intervention is to improve maternal and child health by addressing preventable health issues and reducing mortality rates.
The Kwara First Lady said the state government, led by Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, views the protection of mothers and children as a top priority. She stressed the importance of health care services in fostering human progress and reducing preventable deaths.
“Interventions like this coupled with increased sensitisation about taking ownership of one’s health and utilising health care services could significantly contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality,” she said.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, explained that the programme focuses on maternal care, family planning, and nutrition. She added that the initiative aims to tackle high morbidity and mortality rates among women and young children in Nigeria.
The First Lady encouraged parents, guardians, and caregivers to take advantage of the health services offered to ensure the well-being of their families.