Kaduna State government has inaugurated the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW, at Rigachikun Primary Healthcare Centre in Igabi Local Government Area to reduce maternal and child mortality.
The inauguration, performed by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Monday in Kaduna, was with the support of UNICEF and other development partners.
Balarabe expressed the state’s commitment to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, citing alarming statistics from the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
She noted that maternal, newborn and child deaths are preventable and unacceptable.
She highlighted the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare, including upgrading 255 primary healthcare centers to Care Level 2, enrolling over 70,000 vulnerable persons in the State Health Insurance Scheme and establishing a Department of Family Health.
The deputy governor called on health workers, traditional and religious leaders, parents and caregivers to work together to protect life, seek care and demand quality healthcare.
She thanked the partners for their efforts in saving lives and expressed determination to write a new story of health, hope and healing for every mother, child and family in Kaduna State.
The Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Bello Jamoh said the week-long celebration was a national programme aimed at delivering critical health services to communities.
He noted that the state also engaged in immunisation against Human Papillomavirus, HPV, to prevent cervical cancer in adolescent girls.
According to him, approximately 12,000 beneficiaries are targeted statewide, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
Jamoh said Igabi Local Government Area was chosen for the inauguration of MNCHW due to its large population and poor health indices.
He emphasised the importance of community mobilisation to access free services, which would be provided in primary health care centers across the state.
“The free services include screening for malnutrition, nutrition supplements and health education on food hygiene and nutrition.
“Pregnant women will also receive antenatal care, health education and supplements to boost their blood level,” he said.
The executive secretary expressed happiness in being part of the project and thanked the local government for their support.
He said the event marked the beginning of the first phase of MNCHW, with a second phase expected in October or November.
Nutrition Data Assistant at UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Adamu Usman, assured of the success of the exercise.
She noted that several activities had been carried out, including state of preparedness meetings and distribution of vaccines to facilities across the 23 local government areas.
“The vaccines are already at the facilities and services are ongoing,” he said.
Usman described MNCHW as a “life-saving week” because of the various services being provided, such as nutrition, screening for malnutrition and immunisation.
Others are nutrition education, health talks, hand washing and food demonstrations.
He added that the services rendered are lifesaving and help in identifying, treating and promoting healthy practices.
“The aim is to reduce mortality rates and improve the overall well-being of families in Kaduna State,” he said. (NAN)
