Kwara Targets 1.2 Million Women, Children for 2026 MNCH Week, Offers Free Health Services Statewide

The Kwara State Government has announced plans to reach 1.2 million children and pregnant women during the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week, while reaffirming that MNCH services remain free at all Primary Health Care facilities across the state.

The week-long intervention is scheduled to hold from June 8 to June 12, 2026, across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State and is aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of women and children through the provision of integrated, high-impact health services.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the conference room of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA) on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, stated that the programme will provide a range of free healthcare services for pregnant women, children under five years of age, and eligible nine-year-old girls.

According to her, the services to be provided during the exercise include routine immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening, growth monitoring, antenatal care services, birth registration, HIV prevention interventions, as well as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for eligible girls.

Prof. Elelu disclosed that the agency is targeting over one million children under the age of five, about 200,000 pregnant women, and more than 7,000 eligible nine-year-old girls across the State during the exercise.

She noted that adequate preparations have been made to ensure the successful implementation of the programme, including the training of health workers, strengthening of logistics and vaccine distribution systems, community mobilization activities, and collaboration with traditional, religious, and community leaders.

The Executive Secretary explained that services will be provided through Primary Health Care centres, outreach posts, community gathering points, markets, palaces, and other designated service delivery points to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind.

She added that school-based teams will also administer HPV vaccines to eligible girls in schools across the State.

Prof. Elelu emphasized that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and remains one of the most reliable tools for preventing cervical cancer later in life.

She therefore urged parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible girls receive the vaccine during the exercise.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its continued investment in the health sector, particularly in the areas of health infrastructure development, provision of medical equipment, and strengthening of Primary Health Care services across the State.

The Executive Secretary also appreciated the unwavering support of development partners, including UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank, Vitamin Angels, and other stakeholders whose contributions continue to enhance healthcare service delivery in Kwara State.

While calling on residents to take full advantage of the exercise, Prof. Elelu reassured the public that all services to be provided during the MNCH Week are completely free.

She urged parents, caregivers, and pregnant women to visit the nearest Primary Health Care facility and participate in the exercise in order to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children across the State.

Bukola Abdulganiyu

Press Secretary

KWSPHCDA

07069144440