A renewed commitment to maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health was declared yesterday as the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, officially flagged off the first round of the biannual Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Week (MNCH+N) in Lagos State at the Alimosho Local Government Area Secretariat.

Addressing a large audience of healthcare workers, traditional leaders, community stakeholders, and development partners, she highlighted the significance of the MNCH+N Week as a critical intervention that empowers citizens with access to cost-effective, high-impact healthcare services that can transform health indices and save lives.

Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, she expressed gratitude to the people of Alimosho for hosting the flag-off event, reiterating Lagos’ pioneering role in the MNCH+N Week, which has now become a national program since its inception in 2010.

She stated that the current under-five, infant, and maternal mortality rates still indicate that concerted efforts of all stakeholders are required for further reduction of these rates in order to reach global health targets.

“Despite our efforts, the current under-five and infant mortality rates of 36 and 46 per 1,000 live births, respectively, remain a call to action. No child deserves to die from preventable causes.”

She explained that the week-long campaign will deliver a wide range of services and strongly condemned the rising cases of quackery in maternal health services, urging citizens to avoid unregistered birth attendants and instead utilise services from licensed healthcare professionals or those registered under the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board.

“We must report illegal practices that put the lives of women and children in danger,” she said, while also acknowledging the support of local government chairmen and partners like UNICEF.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the flag-off as symbolic and strategic, noting that the Week has historically improved health-seeking behaviour among residents while enhancing the state’s maternal and child health indices.

Commending the government’s drive to reach every woman and child with essential healthcare, she encouraged families to register for Ilera Eko.

Speaking in the same vein, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, called on parents and caregivers across the state to take full advantage of the Week to access free, life-saving health services for their children and families. Dr. Ogboye announced that the statewide outreach, which kicked off on Monday, the 23rd, and will run till Friday, the 27th of June 2025, will be conducted daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at all public primary health centres and designated sites.

He urged parents whose children are yet to be immunised or who have missed out on Vitamin A supplementation to seize the opportunity provided during the week. Dr. Ogboye also highlighted the availability of the HPV vaccine and child nutrition supplements as part of the intervention package, encouraging parents to not only bring their children but also mobilise others in their communities.

In her goodwill message, Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition for UNICEF Nigeria, applauded the Lagos State Government and the First Lady, noting that the impact of previous rounds has been commendable, with close to six million children receiving Vitamin A supplements and three million dewormed during the two rounds of 2024.

Hajeebhoy also introduced the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), a financing mechanism that allows states to double their investment in critical nutrition commodities. She expressed optimism that Lagos would join states like Oyo, Jigawa, and Kaduna in leveraging the CNF to address malnutrition and strengthen nutrition systems.

Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Jelili Sulaimon, described the initiative as timely and necessary, stressing that good health is foundational to productivity, economic stability, and personal development.

He used the occasion to also inaugurate the newly constructed Administrative Building at the council’s secretariat, which he said will improve their working conditions.