By our reporter
Seeking to improve family health and reduce preventable deaths, the Lagos State Government (LASG) said it is set to kick off the second round of its free week-long Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCAH+N) Week.
Scheduled to hold from December 16-20, 2024, the programme promises free, life-saving healthcare services at designated centers across the South-Western state of Nigeria.
Special Adviser on Health to the State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, who disclosed these, added that over 1,400 service delivery points—including 310 fixed, 376 temporary fixed, and 752 mobile units—have been set up for the exercise.
She further revealed that the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will flag off the event at Shomolu Local Government Secretariat, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering holistic family health.
According to her, the key services to be provided include the administration of vaccinations with all antigens, including Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Pentavalent, Measles, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) 0, Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), and other routine, scheduled immunizations.
She added: “Others are Vitamin A supplementation for children aged six to 59 months, deworming of children aged 12 to 59 months, malnutrition screening, HIV and Tuberculosis testing, and birth registration.”
Dr. Ogunyemi revealed that nursing mothers and caregivers will also benefit from counseling on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), food demonstrations, and the management of minor illnesses such as malaria and malnutrition.
She noted that family planning services, antenatal care, postnatal care, and demonstrations of hygiene practices such as hand washing were also integrated into the programme.
“This initiative consolidates our efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality while improving access to essential healthcare for families across Lagos,” Dr. Ogunyemi stressed.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the Ministry of Health was partnering with other key ministries including Women Affairs, Education, and Agriculture, alongside development partners and community leaders, to ensure seamless implementation.
She added that over 4,000 health workers have been trained to deliver the services in line with global best practices.
Dr. Ogunyemi revealed that the MNCAH+N Week, held twice yearly, is a joint initiative with the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance citizens’ health-seeking behaviors, noting that Lagos, as the pioneering state, has consistently recorded improved health indices, particularly for children under-five and women.
“Adolescents are not left out, as the state has established 13 specialized centers offering reproductive health and psychosocial support. Six of these centers also cater to teenage mothers, ensuring a supportive environment for young people to thrive,” she said.
Ogunyemi stated that the MNCAH+N Week intervention is also geared towards tackling malnutrition, with a goal to reduce the stunted rate among under-five children.
She revealed that healthcare providers have been equipped to introduce micronutrient powders and other nutrition-focused interventions at the grassroots level.
She urged women of child-bearing age, nursing mothers, adolescents, and pregnant women to visit their nearest Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) or designated sites during the exercise.
