The Niger government has inaugurated the first round of the May/June 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCHW) Week and the National Immunisation Plus Days, targeting two million under-five children and 600 women.

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger, at the inauguration in Minna on Monday, said the campaign was in line with the new Niger Agenda.

Mr Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, said the campaign would aid in reducing the morbidity and mortality of childhood killer diseases.

He said it further underscores the critical role of nutrition and immunisation in achieving good health and the collective efforts to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The governor noted that his administration had recognised health and nutrition as the essential foundation for a healthy population, driving sustainable development in the state.

“Good nutrition is crucial for healthier lives, stronger communities and a productive state.

“Malnutrition among children and women remains a pressing challenge that demands collective action,” he said, pledging the state’s commitment to tackling it.

Mr Bago added that his administration had upgraded primary healthcare centres across the 274 wards, recruited more healthcare professionals and ensured access to care in remote areas.

In his address, Ibrahim Dangana, the state commissioner for primary healthcare, said MNCHW was a platform to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

He said that free services, including deworming, antenatal care, birth registration, and long-lasting mosquito nets, would be provided.

Also speaking, Aliyu Suleiman, World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in Niger, said the global health body was committed to supporting the state in healthcare delivery and commended the state government for its efforts.

Theresa Pamma, a Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) specialist at the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, said the campaign showed the Niger government’s commitment to ensuring the vulnerable were being cared for.

(NAN)