United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Kwara State government, has targeted over 100,000 pregnant women for the integrated health intervention campaign.
The Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Mrs Chinwe Ezeife stated this yesterday in Ilorin at the flag-off of the 2025 Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, MNCH, Week across the 16 local government areas.
She explained that no fewer than 753,000 children, aged six to 59 months would receive Vitamin A supplements during the weeklong activities from June 24 to 27.
She added that 662,000 children aged 12 to 59 months would receive dewormer.
Ezeife stated that the health intervention also includes Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, immunisation for female children aged nine, adding that it is targeting 80 percent coverage across the 16 councils.
“This is a platform through which we deliver multiple-micro nutrients supplements to pregnant women and children; Vit A and dewormers will also be administered.
“In addition, we will demonstrate the proper way of hand washing, because water, hygiene and sanitation is part of MNCH child protection,” she said.
The UNICEF specialist urged pregnant mothers and caregivers to bring their children to the programme for optimal health.
She commended the state government’s intervention in the healthcare sector.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu explained that about 50,000 young girls will benefit from the HPV vaccination.
She described the MNCH week
as an intensive high impact and low cost intervention in designated health centres across Kwara.
