Kwara, UNFPA Strengthen Capacity of Health Workers on Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance

The Kwara State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has commenced a five-day capacity-building training on Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) for frontline health workers across selected Local Government Areas in the state.

The training, which is being held from June 15 to 20, 2026 at the Silver Gate Hotel, Ilorin, is designed to strengthen the capacity of health workers in identifying, reporting, reviewing, and responding to maternal, perinatal, and child deaths, with the ultimate goal of reducing preventable deaths and improving health outcomes for women and children.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, represented by the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Mr. Ajide Olayioye, described the programme as another strategic intervention aimed at strengthening the state’s healthcare system and consolidating the gains of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration in the health sector.

According to her, maternal and child health remains a priority of the present administration, noting that improving surveillance systems and strengthening response mechanisms are critical steps towards preventing avoidable deaths.

“This training is an important component of our efforts to build a resilient and responsive healthcare system. By equipping health workers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we are enhancing our capacity to identify gaps, improve service delivery, and ultimately save more lives. It also complements the significant investments of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in primary healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery,” she said.

The State Lead of UNFPA, Dr. Gloria Enueze, urged participants to approach the training with dedication and commitment, emphasizing that the knowledge acquired would directly contribute to safeguarding the lives of mothers and children across communities.

She noted that maternal and child deaths often provide important lessons for improving healthcare delivery and stressed the need for accurate documentation, timely reporting, and effective implementation of recommendations arising from death reviews.

Dr. Enueze also commended the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency for its commitment to strengthening healthcare services and for carefully selecting health workers who play critical roles in improving health outcomes at the grassroots level.

Also speaking, the State Director of Planning in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Ibrahim Barika, lauded UNFPA for its longstanding partnership with the Kwara State Government in implementing impactful health programmes.

He described the collaboration as a testament to the shared commitment of both parties towards improving the well-being of residents and assured stakeholders of the government’s continued support for initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and better health indicators in the state.

In her presentation, the State MPCDSR Desk Officer and State Coordinator for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N), Dr. Medinat Olaosebikan, highlighted the objectives of the training and the expected outcomes.

She explained that the programme seeks to strengthen participants’ knowledge of MPCDSR processes, improve the quality of data collection and reporting, enhance coordination among health facilities and Local Government Areas, and promote timely actions that address identified causes of maternal and child deaths.

Dr. Olaosebikan appreciated UNFPA for its continued support to the health sector, noting that the intervention aligns with ongoing reforms by the Kwara State Government aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services through infrastructure upgrades, recruitment of health workers, provision of medical equipment, and capacity building initiatives.

UNICEF Social Behaviour Change Consultant, Dr. Usman Danlami, also charged participants to make the most of the training by actively engaging in all sessions and applying the knowledge gained in their respective communities and health facilities.

According to him, effective surveillance and response systems are essential for identifying preventable factors associated with maternal and child deaths and ensuring that appropriate corrective measures are implemented.

In their goodwill messages, the Chief Medical Directors of Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, and Cottage Hospital, Omupo, who are serving as facilitators at the training, commended the Kwara State Government and UNFPA for prioritizing continuous professional development for health workers.

They noted that regular capacity-building programmes are critical to improving the competence of healthcare providers and ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services to residents across the state.

The Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (MPCDSR) system is a continuous surveillance process that promotes the routine identification, notification, review, and response to maternal, perinatal, and child deaths. It provides critical information that guides evidence-based interventions and quality improvement initiatives aimed at preventing future deaths.

Participants at the training include Officers-in-Charge (OICs), Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), RMNCHAN Focal Persons and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coordinators drawn from Offa, Ilorin East, and Moro Local Government Areas.

Bukola Abdulganiyu

Press Secretary,

KWSPHCDA

07069144440