Kogi checks maternal mortality, unveils maternal, child health week

The Kogi State Government has launched the second round of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week, aimed at reducing illness and deaths among mothers and children under five.

Adeiza Abdulazeez, the Commissioner for Health at the event in Lokoja, the State Capital, on Tuesday, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment towards improving maternal and child healthcare.

Represented by Steve Momoh, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, he highlighted the State’s progress in revitalising over 80 Primary Healthcare Centres and upgrading 88 additional facilities to improve access to quality health services.

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Abdulazeez pointed out that strengthening the primary healthcare system is central to achieving universal health coverage and lowering morbidity and mortality rates, as he acknowledged that the State governor, Ahmed Ododo’s unwavering support and lauded development partners, traditional leaders and other stakeholders for their contributions.

He said, “This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to building a healthier and more prosperous state, with accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare services for all”.

Musa Muazu, Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, equally highlighted the State’s alarming stunting prevalence of 34% among children under five, according to the 2023/24 National Demographic and Health Survey.

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He emphasised that the Agency is intensifying activities at PHC facilities and through community outreach, adding that the MNCH Week would provide free healthcare services, including routine immunisations, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and health education, targeting mothers and children aged 0–59 months. He noted that healthcare workers had been mobilised and trained to ensure the delivery of accessible, high-quality services.

Development partners, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders praised the initiative and pledged support to ensure its success.

Momoh, on behalf of the Commissioner, distributed free drugs and diapers to nursing mothers, and officially flagged off the MNCH Week and the administration of Vitamin A supplements to children.