Kwara Intensifies Maternal Health Campaign to Reduce Deaths Among Mothers, Newborns
Mirian Gom 
ILORIN, Nigeria – The Kwara State Government has stepped up efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality through a targeted sensitisation campaign encouraging pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics, prepare adequately for childbirth, and deliver in health facilities under the supervision of skilled birth attendants.
The awareness programme, organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Health in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), formed part of activities commemorating the 2026 International Day of the Midwife.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Saad Hamdalat, the government said the initiative was designed to improve maternal health outcomes by promoting access to quality healthcare services during pregnancy and childbirth.
Addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, stressed the importance of early antenatal registration and consistent attendance at scheduled clinic visits.
According to him, regular antenatal care enables health workers to monitor the wellbeing of both mother and child, detect complications early, and provide timely interventions.
“Early registration for antenatal care and regular attendance at all clinic appointments remain critical to ensuring safe pregnancies and reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths,” Abdullahi said.
He further urged expectant mothers to prioritise hospital deliveries, noting that skilled birth attendance significantly improves survival outcomes for mothers and babies.
As part of the intervention, delivery kits were distributed to pregnant women to encourage antenatal attendance, birth preparedness and facility-based delivery.
Speaking at the event, UNFPA Focal Person, Gloria Enueze, described midwives as frontline healthcare providers whose contributions are vital to safe pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care.
Earlier, the Head of Department of Health in Ilorin East Local Government Area, Hajia Sulyman Ajibola, encouraged beneficiaries to make effective use of the delivery kits and consistently sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria during pregnancy.
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