Sokoto Launches Maternal, Child Health Week for 1.4 Million Beneficiaries
The Sokoto State Government has officially flagged off the 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), targeting more than 1.4 million children and pregnant women across the state with life-saving nutrition and healthcare interventions.
The flag-off ceremony was held at Kofar Kade Primary Healthcare Centre in Sokoto North Local Government Area and 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), development partners, health workers, traditional leaders, women and caregivers.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the Sokoto State Government to improving maternal, newborn and child healthcare through sustained investments in primary healthcare and preventive services.
He described the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week as one of the state’s most important public health interventions, designed to deliver essential healthcare services directly to communities.
Dr. Abubakar urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the exercise by bringing eligible children and pregnant women to health facilities and designated outreach centres across the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to him, the government remains focused on improving child survival, reducing malnutrition, preventing childhood illnesses and ensuring healthier pregnancies.
Under the programme, children aged 6 to 59 months will receive Vitamin A supplementation to boost immunity and support healthy growth, while children aged 12 to 59 months will also benefit from deworming tablets aimed at preventing intestinal worm infections associated with malnutrition and poor growth.
Pregnant women will receive Iron-Folic Acid supplements to prevent anaemia and support healthy pregnancies.
Health officials disclosed that the state aims to reach 1,136,399 children with Vitamin A and deworming services, while 350,741 pregnant women are expected to benefit from Iron-Folic Acid supplementation during the exercise.
The government also called on community leaders, religious leaders, media organisations and other stakeholders to support awareness campaigns and community mobilisation efforts to ensure successful implementation of the programme.
Development partners supporting the exercise include UNICEF, WHO, Helen Keller International, Nutrition International, Child Nutrition Fund, Kirk Humanitarian and the Gates Foundation.
The services are being provided free of charge at health facilities and designated outreach centres across Sokoto State.
