Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, has launched the first round of the bi-annual Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition Week (MNCH+N) across the state’s 57 LGAs and LCDAs.
Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, at the flag-off in Alimosho Local Government, Sanwo-Olu urged residents to take advantage of the free services between June 23 and 27.
“The weeklong programme will deliver life-saving services including vitamin A supplementation, free antenatal and postnatal care, and family planning. I urge Lagosians to visit the designated centres,” she said.
Sanwo-Olu reiterated Lagos’ pioneering role in the MNCH+N Week, noting it has become a national programme since starting in the state in 2010.
She warned residents against patronising quacks for maternal health services and urged communities to report illegal practices that endanger women and children.
“Our communities must rise to report illegal practices that put lives at risk. Use only licensed healthcare professionals or those registered under the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board,” she appealed.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, highlighted the impact of MNCH+N Week on health-seeking behaviour and child survival.
They called on parents to seize the opportunity to access immunisations, nutrition supplements and the HPV vaccine. UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition, Nemat Hajeebhoy, praised Lagos for sustaining the campaign, adding that nearly six million children were reached in 2024 alone.
“We must keep this momentum to ensure every Nigerian child gets the care they deserve,” she said.
