By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has launched the May-June 2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week, reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare access and reducing preventable maternal and child deaths across the state.

The week-long exercise was officially flagged off at FSP Primary Health Care Clinic in Makurdi by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cephas Hough.

Performing the exercise, Dr. Ogwuche described the programme as a vital intervention aimed at expanding access to life-saving healthcare services for women and children, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

He said the exercise, would provide a package of integrated health services designed to improve the wellbeing of mothers, newborns and children across the state.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the healthcare transformation agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, which has prioritized strengthening primary healthcare services, expanding access to quality medical care, and reducing maternal and child mortality.
“Every mother deserves quality healthcare before, during and after childbirth, while every child deserves the opportunity to survive, grow and reach their full potential,” he said.

“This Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week provides an opportunity to intensify interventions that will safeguard the lives of mothers and children throughout Benue State.”

The commissioner disclosed that pregnant women participating in the programme would receive focused antenatal care, micronutrient supplements, health education and counselling, while children would benefit from routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition screening and other child survival interventions.

He added that beneficiaries would also have access to 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 hygiene promotion services.

Dr. Ogwuche urged parents, caregivers and community leaders to take advantage of the free healthcare services and encourage widespread participation in the programme.

He stressed that maternal and child health remains a critical indicator of societal development and called for collective efforts to tackle deaths arising from pregnancy-related complications and childhood illnesses.

The commissioner also commended healthcare workers across the state for their dedication to service delivery despite existing challenges, describing them as the backbone of the health system.

He further acknowledged the contributions of development partners and donor agencies, urging stronger collaboration to enhance healthcare coverage and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Highlighting the importance of data-driven planning, Dr. Ogwuche noted that information generated during the exercise would help government and partners identify service gaps, strengthen future interventions and improve healthcare planning.

He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community influencers to intensify awareness campaigns and mobilise families to access the available services.

“Outreach teams will be deployed to remote communities to ensure that no woman or child is denied healthcare because of geographical or economic barriers,” he said.

The commissioner expressed confidence that the success of the programme would contribute significantly to the state’s efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening the overall health sector.

The flag-off ceremony featured health education sessions, community mobilisation activities, sensitisation campaigns and the commencement of integrated maternal and child healthcare services for beneficiaries.