From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has officially flagged off the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), a strategic healthcare intervention aimed at improving the nutritional status and overall wellbeing of mothers and children across the state.
The flag-off ceremony was held on Monday at Kofar Kade Primary Healthcare Centre in Sokoto North Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes through sustained investments in primary healthcare services and preventive interventions.
He described the MNCHW as one of the state’s most important public health initiatives, providing an opportunity to deliver life-saving services directly to mothers and children at the community level.
Dr. Abubakar urged parents and caregivers to take full advantage of the exercise by bringing eligible children and pregnant women to health facilities and designated outreach centres across the state.
According to him, improving child survival, reducing malnutrition, preventing childhood illnesses and ensuring healthier pregnancies remain key priorities of the state government.
The commissioner also commended frontline health workers, development partners and community stakeholders for their continued support in advancing healthcare delivery across Sokoto State.
The week-long programme will focus on the provision of essential nutrition services for children under the age of five and pregnant women.
Under the nutrition component of the exercise, children aged six to 59 months will receive Vitamin A supplementation to boost immunity, support healthy growth and reduce the risk of childhood illnesses.
Similarly, children aged 12 to 59 months will receive deworming tablets to protect them from intestinal worm infections that can contribute to malnutrition and poor growth.
Pregnant women will also benefit from Iron-Folic Acid supplementation aimed at preventing anaemia, promoting healthy pregnancies and improving the wellbeing of both mother and child.
The state government aims to reach 1,136,399 children aged six to 59 months with Vitamin A and deworming services, while 350,741 pregnant women are expected to benefit from Iron-Folic Acid supplementation during the exercise.
Health officials described the MNCHW as a critical platform for delivering high-impact and cost-effective interventions that significantly contribute to reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
Residents across the 23 local government areas of the state have been encouraged to visit the nearest health facility or designated outreach site to access the services free of charge.
The Sokoto State Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every mother and child has access to quality healthcare services and called on community leaders, religious leaders, media organisations and other stakeholders to support awareness creation and community mobilisation throughout the exercise.
Key targets for the 2026 MNCHW include reaching 1,136,399 children aged six to 59 months with Vitamin A supplementation and deworming services, as well as providing Iron-Folic Acid supplementation to 350,741 pregnant women.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA), government officials, development partners, health workers, community leaders, women and caregivers.
Development partners supporting the exercise include UNICEF, WHO, Helen Keller International, Nutrition International, Child Nutrition Fund, Kirk Humanitarian and Gates Foundation.
