EKITI FIRST LADY FLAGS OFF MATERNAL, CHILD HEALTH WEEK, URGES RESIDENTS TO ACCESS FREE SERVICES

The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has flagged off the 2026 First Round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), reaffirming the State Government's commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality through accessible and quality healthcare services.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Adunni Olayinka Centre, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Oyebanji, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to improve health outcomes for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under five.

She said the bi-annual exercise reflects Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and safeguarding the lives of mothers and children through integrated healthcare delivery.

Citing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, she noted that under-five mortality remains a major public health concern, with Nigeria recording 100 deaths per 1,000 live births.

 She added that the South-West recorded 62 deaths per 1,000 live births, while Ekiti State recorded 44 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Describing the figures as unacceptable, the First Lady said the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week remains a key government intervention aimed at reducing preventable maternal and child deaths in the state.

Dr. Oyebanji urged pregnant women, nursing mothers and caregivers to take full advantage of the free healthcare services by visiting designated health facilities and outreach centres across the state.

She disclosed that children aged six to 59 months would receive Vitamin A supplementation and deworming tablets, while pregnant women would benefit from free HIV screening, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP), folate and other essential health commodities.

The First Lady commended development partners, health workers and members of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition for their sustained support in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Ekiti.

She noted that the health sector remains a top priority under the administration’s Human Capital Development agenda, one of the six pillars of Governor Oyebanji’s development blueprint.

According to her, the exercise, which commenced on June 22 and will end on June 26, is being implemented across government health facilities and designated centres in the state’s 16 Local Government Areas and 22 Local Council Development Areas.

Dr. Oyebanji called on community leaders and stakeholders to mobilise residents to participate fully in the exercise, declaring the 2026 First Round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week open.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Gbenga Igotun, advised nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life, describing it as essential for healthy growth and development.

Also speaking at the event ,the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, urged mothers to prioritise their children’s welfare, while commending their support for the administration.

In her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, also emphasised the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in reducing child mortality.

In a  goodwill message, the UNICEF representative, Ms. Linda Ajeigbe, commended the state government’s policies on maternal and child health, noting that UNICEF would continue to support such interventions through matching funds and technical assistance.

The event was attended by top government officials, including commissioners for Health, Women Affairs, Agriculture, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as other stakeholders in the health sector.