The Kogi Government has launched the second round of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week, with a focus on reducing morbidity and mortality in mothers and children under five years old.
Speaking at event in Lokoja, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Adeiza Abdulazeez, reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for mothers and children.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Steve Momoh, the commissioner highlighted the state’s progress in revitalising over 80 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers and upgrading 88 additional facilities to enhance access to quality healthcare services.
Abdulazeez emphasised the administration’s focus on strengthening the primary healthcare system, recognising its critical role in achieving universal health coverage and reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
He expressed gratitude to Gov. Ahmed Ododo for his unwavering support and acknowledged the contributions of development partners, traditional leaders, and stakeholders in advancing healthcare initiatives in Kogi.
“This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to building a healthier and more prosperous state, with a focus on accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare services for all citizens,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr Musa Muazu, highlighted the alarming stunting prevalence of 34.0% among children under five years old in Kogi State.
This, he referenced to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2023/24.
Mu’azu emphasised the agency’s commitment to addressing this issue through intensified nutrition activities in PHC facilities and community outreach programmes.
Muazu also expressed gratitude to the Governor for his commitment to the health sector and acknowledged the support of development partners, traditional leaders, and stakeholders.
According to him, the MNCH Week will provide free healthcare services, including routine immunization, vitamin A supplements, deworming, and health education, targeting mothers and children aged 0-59 months.
Mu’azu noted that the agency has mobilised healthcare workers and conducted trainings to ensure accessible, equitable, and high-quality services.
Representatives of Development partners, Traditional and Religious leaders, and other stakeholders, commended the state government for the initiative and promised their support to ensure the success of the programme.
The highlight of the event was the official flag-off of the MNCH Week, with administration of Vit A Supplement to children, distribution of free drugs and diapers to nursing mothers by Momoh on behalf of the Commissioner.