Sokoto State Government has commenced this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), a statewide initiative designed to improve the health and nutritional wellbeing of women and children through the delivery of essential healthcare services.
The programme was officially launched at Kofar Kade Primary Healthcare Centre in Sokoto North Local Government Area. The event attracted key government officials, including the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare; and the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA). Also in attendance were development partners, healthcare workers, traditional leaders, women and caregivers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Faruk reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening maternal and child healthcare through sustained investments in primary healthcare and preventive health programmes.
He described the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week as one of the state’s most impactful public health interventions, noting that it provides an effective platform for delivering critical health services directly to communities.
The commissioner urged parents, guardians and caregivers across the state to ensure that eligible children and pregnant women participate in the exercise by visiting healthcare facilities and designated outreach centres.
According to him, reducing child mortality, tackling malnutrition, preventing common childhood diseases and promoting safer pregnancies remain central to the government’s healthcare agenda.
Dr. Faruk also commended healthcare personnel, development partners and community stakeholders for their contributions towards improving healthcare services across Sokoto State.
He disclosed that the week-long campaign is focused on providing essential nutrition services for children under five and pregnant women, with support from development partners including UNICEF, WHO, Helen Keller International, Nutrition International, Child Nutrition Fund, Kirk Humanitarian and the Gates Foundation.
Providing details of the interventions, the commissioner said:
“Children aged 6 to 59 months will receive Vitamin A supplementation to boost immunity, support healthy growth and reduce the risk of childhood illnesses.
“Children aged 12 to 59 months will receive deworming tablets to protect them against intestinal worm infections that can contribute to malnutrition and poor growth.
“Pregnant women will receive Iron-Folic Acid supplementation to prevent anaemia, promote healthy pregnancies and support the wellbeing of both mother and child.
“The state aims to reach a total of 1,136,399 children aged 6 to 59 months with Vitamin A supplementation and deworming services, while 350,741 pregnant women are expected to benefit from Iron-Folic Acid supplementation during the exercise”.
Health experts at the event described the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week as a vital intervention for delivering cost-effective, life-saving services that play a significant role in reducing maternal and child illness and deaths across communities.
With a target of more than 1.4 million beneficiaries, the programme is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts by the Sokoto State Government and its partners to improve health outcomes for mothers and children throughout the state.
