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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government has officially flagged off the May-June 2026 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week reaffirming its commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes and reducing mortality across the state.
The flag-off ceremony held at Kwararafa Primary Health Care (FSP) Clinic, Makurdi, was performed by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cephas Huuge.
Ogwuche, described the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week as a critical intervention aimed at improving access to life-saving healthcare services for women and children across Benue State.
He noted that the week-long exercise, which commenced on June 3 and would run through June 7, is designed to deliver integrated health services to mothers, newborns and children, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
He said the initiative aligns with the healthcare transformation agenda and the vision of the Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, whose administration has consistently prioritised the strengthening of primary healthcare systems, improved access to quality healthcare services and the reduction of preventable maternal and child deaths across the state.
He said maternal and child health remains a key indicator of societal development and called for sustained collective action to address preventable deaths resulting from pregnancy-related complications and childhood illnesses.
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In his words, “Every mother deserves quality healthcare before, during and after childbirth, while every child deserves the opportunity to survive, grow and reach their full potential. This programme provides an opportunity to intensify interventions that will safeguard the lives of mothers and children throughout Benue State.”
He disclosed that during the exercise, pregnant women would receive focused antenatal care services, micronutrient supplementation, health education and counselling, while children would benefit from routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening and other essential child survival interventions.
Other services to be provided during the week include HIV testing and counselling, distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), birth registration services, newborn care interventions, family planning counselling, malaria prevention education and promotion of proper hygiene practices.
The Commissioner urged mothers, fathers, caregivers and community leaders to actively participate in the programme and encourage community members to take advantage of the free health services being offered throughout the exercise.
He also commended healthcare workers across the state for their dedication and sacrifices in ensuring quality healthcare delivery despite prevailing challenges, describing them as the backbone of the state’s healthcare system.
Dr. Ogwuche acknowledged continued support of development partners and donor agencies to the health sector and called for stronger collaboration to expand healthcare coverage and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The programme brought together officials of the Benue State Primary Health Care Board, development partners, healthcare professionals, traditional and religious leaders, community representatives, mothers, caregivers and other stakeholders in the health sector.
