Kwara targets 1.2 million women, children for free healthcare programme

The Kwara State Government has said no fewer than 1.2 million women and children will benefit from free healthcare services during the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week scheduled to hold across the state from June 8 to June 12

The government said the intervention, which will be implemented simultaneously in the 16 local government areas of the state, is aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes and expanding access to essential primary healthcare services.

The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this during a media briefing in Ilorin.

A statement issued by the agency’s Press Secretary, Bukola Abdulganiyu and made available to Arewa PidomNigeria, said the exercise would provide integrated healthcare services to pregnant women, children under five years of age and eligible nine-year-old girls at no cost.

Elelu said, “The 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week will provide a range of free healthcare services for pregnant women, children under five years of age, and eligible nine-year-old girls across Kwara State.”

She listed the services to include routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening, growth monitoring, antenatal care, birth registration, HIV prevention services and Human Papillomavirus vaccination for eligible girls.

According to her, the programme is expected to reach over one million children under the age of five, about 200,000 pregnant women and more than 7,000 eligible nine-year-old girls across the state.

“We are targeting over one million children under five years, approximately 200,000 pregnant women, and more than 7,000 eligible nine-year-old girls across the state during this year’s exercise,” she said.

Elelu noted that all necessary preparations had been concluded to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

She said health workers had been trained, logistics and vaccine distribution systems strengthened, while extensive community mobilisation had been carried out in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders.

“We have adequately prepared for the exercise through capacity building for health workers, improved logistics arrangements, vaccine distribution mechanisms, and sustained community engagement to ensure effective service delivery,” she said.

The executive secretary explained that services would be provided at primary healthcare centres and designated outreach locations, including markets, palaces and community centres, to ensure wider coverage.

“Service delivery will take place at Primary Health Care facilities and designated outreach locations across communities so that no eligible beneficiary is left behind,” she added.

Elelu further disclosed that school-based health teams would administer HPV vaccines to eligible girls in schools across the state as part of efforts to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.

“The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and remains one of the most reliable preventive measures against cervical cancer later in life. We encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible girls receive the vaccine during this exercise,” she said.

She commended the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its sustained investment in the health sector, particularly in primary healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment and service delivery.

Elelu also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the , the , the and Vitamin Angels, for supporting healthcare interventions in the state.

She urged pregnant women, parents and caregivers to take advantage of the exercise, stressing that all services provided during the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week would be offered free of charge.

According to her, increased participation in the programme will contribute significantly to reducing maternal and child mortality while improving the overall health and well-being of residents across the state.