LAGOS INAUGURATES MATERNAL, CHILD HEALTH, AND NUTRITION WEEK, ASPIRING FOR ZERO CHILD AND MATERNAL FATALITIES
Read Time:5 Minute, 22 Second
BY ALICE IDOWU
…First Lady Reaffirms Lagos’ Commitment to Women and Children’s Health, Warns Parents to Shun Unregistered Birth Attendants
Week-Long Free Outreach Services Holds in PHCs Across 57 LGAs/LCDAs Between 23rd and 27th June, 2025
A revitalized dedication to maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health was proclaimed on Monday, June 23, 2025, as the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu formally inaugurated the initial phase of the biannual Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Week (MNCH+N) in Lagos State at the Alimosho Local Government Area Secretariat.
In addressing a substantial assembly of healthcare professionals, customary authorities, community stakeholders, and development collaborators, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of the MNCH+N Week as a vital initiative that equips citizens with access to affordable, high-impact healthcare services capable of transforming health metrics and preserving lives.
The First Lady, represented at the event by the spouse of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, conveyed her appreciation to the residents of Alimosho for hosting the State flag-off event, reaffirming Lagos’ trailblazing position in the MNCH+N Week, which has evolved into a national initiative since its establishment in the state in 2010.
She asserted that the existing under-five, infant, and maternal mortality rates continue to demonstrate that unified efforts from all stakeholders are essential for further diminishing these figures to achieve global health objectives. “Notwithstanding our endeavors, the present Under-five and Infant Mortality Rates of 36 and 46 per 1,000 live births, respectively, serve as a rallying cry for action,” she emphasized. “No child ought to perish from avoidable causes. ”
She explained that the week-long campaign will deliver a wide range of services including vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring, free antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, counselling on home care, screening for malnutrition, as well as information and referral support for sexual and domestic violence cases.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu strongly condemned the rising cases of quackery in maternal health services, urging citizens to avoid unregistered birth attendants and instead utilize services from licensed healthcare professionals or those registered under the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board.
“Our communities must rise up to report illegal practices that put the lives of our women and children in danger,” she said, while also acknowledging the support of local government chairmen and partners like UNICEF in implementing the program. She concluded with an official declaration of the MNCH+N Week open, calling on Lagosians to visit the designated centres to benefit from the life-saving services.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the flag-off as symbolic and strategic, especially being hosted in Alimosho, the largest LGA in Lagos. She said Alimosho’s performance would significantly determine the state’s overall success in the week-long outreach.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, described the flag-off as symbolic and strategic, especially being hosted in Alimosho, the largest LGA in Lagos. She said Alimosho’s performance would significantly determine the state’s overall success in the week-long outreach.
She noted that the MNCH+N Week has historically improved health-seeking behavior among residents while enhancing the state’s maternal and child health indices. She however stressed that current mortality rates still demand intensified action from all stakeholders.
Dr. Ogunyemi commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s drive to reach every woman and child with essential healthcare, and encouraged families to also register for Ilera Eko – the state’s social health insurance scheme – to ensure continued access to quality care beyond the intervention week.
Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye called on parents and caregivers across the state to take full advantage of the ongoing Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCH+N) Week to access free, life-saving health services for their children and families.
Dr. Ogboye announced that the statewide outreach, which runs from Monday, 23rd to Friday, 27th June 2025, will be conducted daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at all public primary health centers and designated sites. He emphasized that the program targets under-five children, pregnant women, and adolescents with a wide range of essential health and nutrition interventions.
He urged parents whose children are yet to be immunized or who have missed out on Vitamin A supplementation to seize the opportunity provided during the week. Dr. Ogboye also highlighted the availability of the HPV vaccine and child nutrition supplements as part of the intervention package, encouraging parents to not only bring their children but also mobilize others in their communities to benefit from the programme.
In her goodwill message, Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition for UNICEF Nigeria, applauded the Lagos State Government and the First Lady for sustaining the MNCH+N campaign. She described the week as a platform to deliver essential, preventive, and curative services to millions of women and children.
According to her, the impact of previous rounds has been commendable, with close to six million children receiving vitamin A supplements and three million dewormed during the two rounds of 2024. She called for continued momentum to surpass those figures in 2025.
Hajeebhoy also introduced the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a financing mechanism that allows states to double their investment in critical nutrition commodities. She expressed optimism that Lagos would join other states like Oyo, Jigawa, and Kaduna in leveraging the CNF to address malnutrition and strengthen nutrition systems.
She pledged UNICEF’s unwavering support to Lagos State and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring every Nigerian child has access to the nutrition and healthcare they deserve.
In his address, the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, expressed delight that his LGA was chosen to host the flag-off ceremony. The Chairman who was represented by his vice, Hon. Akinpelu Johnson described the initiative as timely and necessary, stressing that good health is foundational to productivity, economic stability, and personal development.
Sulaimon reiterated his administration’s dedication to prioritizing healthcare, especially for at-risk populations such as expectant mothers and children. He utilized the event to officially launch the newly erected Administrative Building at the council secretariat, which, as he stated, will enhance the working conditions for council personnel.
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