LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has officially flagged off the Maternal, Child Health, and Nutrition Week, reaffirming its commitment to reducing preventable maternal and child deaths through integrated healthcare services and widespread community outreach.
The week-long initiative, launched on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, is being implemented across all local government areas of the state, under the theme: “Reaching Every Household, Saving Every Life.” The programme is designed to strengthen access to essential maternal and child health interventions, including routine immunisation, antenatal services, nutrition counselling, and vitamin supplementation.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, held at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Alimosho, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the initiative is part of the state’s strategic agenda to eliminate preventable maternal and under-five mortality by scaling up access to life-saving services, especially among vulnerable populations.
“Our vision is clear—no mother should die while giving life, and no child should die from preventable causes. This week is about reaching families where they are, delivering health, hope, and a future,” Prof. Abayomi said.
He noted that health workers will be mobilised across urban and rural communities to offer nutrition screening, iron-folate supplementation, family planning advice, deworming, and other critical services, especially in underserved areas. The government will also use the opportunity to disseminate health education materials and promote positive health-seeking behaviours among residents.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the week-long outreach is aligned with the Lagos State Health and Nutrition Policy, which prioritises maternal and child survival as a key development indicator.
In collaboration with development partners including UNICEF, WHO, and local NGOs, the initiative is expected to reach over 500,000 women and children across the state during the campaign period.
Beneficiaries at the flag-off expressed appreciation to the government for bringing healthcare closer to their communities, particularly in times of economic difficulty.
The Lagos State Government urged residents to take full advantage of the services being offered during the week and assured them of sustained investment in primary healthcare and nutrition programmes.