The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO, ANRiN, Rotary International and Evidence Action has flagged off the first round of the 2026 Optimized Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week at Oniyanrin Comprehensive Health Centre, Ibadan North West Local Government Area, reaffirming the commitment of the State Government to improving maternal and child health outcomes across the state.
The flag-off ceremony, which attracted government officials, development partners, health workers, and residents, marked the commencement of a week-long integrated health intervention aimed at providing life-saving services to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under five years of age.
Speaking at the event, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Dr Adeyemi Adewole representing the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, stated that the Optimised MNCH Week remains one of the state’s most strategic public health interventions designed to reduce maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality through the delivery of high-impact and cost-effective health services.
He noted that, the programme provides a unique opportunity to reach eligible beneficiaries with essential healthcare services, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
He emphasised that the intervention aligns with the vision of the administration of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all residents of Oyo State.
According to him, the services being offered during the exercise include routine immunisation, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, growth monitoring, nutritional screening, antenatal care services, health education, birth registration, RDT and treatment for Malaria, HIV Screening, family planning, counselling, HPV Vaccines for nine-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer and referrals for specialised healthcare services where necessary.
He further disclosed that the state government has continued to prioritise investments in primary healthcare infrastructure, human resources for health and community-based interventions to strengthen the healthcare system and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
Dr Olatunji, urged parents, caregivers and pregnant women to take advantage of the free services being provided during the exercise, stressing that early access to preventive healthcare interventions remains crucial to safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and children.
Also speaking at the event, representatives of NPHCDA, Dr Victoria Olatunde Adebiyi, WHO, Dr Phillips Zorto, Ibadan North West Local Government Chairman, Rale Opeyemi, UNICEF, Mr Tari Akpandara, and Head of Local Government Administration, Pastor Ibukun Dada, in their goodwill messages, commended the Oyo State Government for sustaining the implementation of the Optimised MNCH Week and for demonstrating strong leadership in the promotion of maternal and child health programmes.
They reiterated their commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving health indices in the state.
Beneficiaries who attended the flag off expressed appreciation to the State Government and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board for the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial, especially in view of prevailing economic challenges facing many households.
The Board disclosed that health workers have been mobilised to all Primary Health Care Centres and designated outreach posts across the thirty-three Local Government Areas of the state to ensure seamless implementation and wider coverage of the programme.
The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board reaffirmed its commitment to delivering accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to all residents, noting that sustained investments in maternal, newborn and child health remain critical to achieving improved health outcomes and sustainable development.
The flag off of the Optimised Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week at Oniyanrin Comprehensive Health Centre Ibadan represents another milestone in Oyo State’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and ensure that every mother, newborn and child has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life.
