… urges residents to embrace free preventive healthcare
The Lagos State Government has flagged off the first round of the 2026 Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (MNCAH+N) Week, urging residents to access free healthcare services and embrace preventive care.
The programme, which runs from July 20 to 24, offers free services at public primary healthcare centres and designated outreach sites across the state.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, said the initiative provides essential healthcare interventions for mothers, children, adolescents and families.
She listed services including Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, immunisation, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, nutrition counselling, tuberculosis screening, HIV testing and health education.
The First Lady urged residents to report cases of domestic and sexual violence through the state’s toll-free line, 08000333333, and warned pregnant women against patronising unqualified birth attendants.
She highlighted achievements from the previous round, including over 4.19 million children receiving Vitamin A supplements, 4.36 million dewormed and thousands of women accessing maternal health services.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described the MNCAH+N Week as a major public health initiative targeting children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescents.
She said beneficiaries would receive preventive healthcare services while urging residents to utilise the free outreach. She also appreciated partners including UNICEF, UNFPA, the Gates Foundation and Agrim Pharmaceuticals.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, encouraged residents to promote healthy living and use government health facilities.
UNICEF Lagos Chief of Office, Celine Lafoucriere, commended Lagos for its commitment to maternal and child health and urged the state to sustain the programme.
The first round of the 2026 MNCAH+N Week runs until July 24, with free services available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at public primary healthcare facilities and designated centres across Lagos State.
