The Kwara government has distributed free delivery kits to the 193 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) for pregnant women.

During the distribution in Ilorin, the executive secretary of Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nusirat Elelu, said the aim was to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality.

She said the state was committed to the provision of quality and affordable health care service delivery, irrespective of geographical location.

Ms Elelu said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration prioritises women’s health to ensure pregnancy and childbirth remain safe for women and children.

According to her, the provision of hygienic and clean delivery kits is an essential initiative that addresses a critical need within the communities.

“Access to clean and hygienic delivery materials is not only a matter of healthcare but also a fundamental right that every expectant mother deserves.

“The availability of these kits to pregnant women is a crucial step towards improving maternal and infant health outcomes in our state,” she said.

Ms Elelu acknowledged that expectant mothers, particularly those in remote communities, faced challenges such as a lack of access to basic healthcare supplies.

The secretary said this contributed to preventable complications during childbirth.

“The initiative is a collaboration between Kwara and the World Bank, Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming (IMPACT) project.

“This prioritises the provision of essential resources in order to bridge the gaps and promote positive health outcomes in Kwara,” she said.

Ms Elelu explained further that the benefitting PHCs are only allowed to charge a maximum of ₦2,000 for other expenses, while patients covered under Kwara Health Insurance are exempted from paying the sum.

She said a toll-free line was also provided and would be made widely available in all PHCs to report sharp practices and the grievance redress mechanism.

In his remarks, the programme manager of the IMPACT Project, Michael Oguntoye, asserted that investing in maternal and child healthcare could lead to long-term cost savings by reducing the need for costly interventions and treatments for preventable conditions.

“By ensuring the health and well-being of mothers and children, Nigeria can improve productivity and contribute to economic growth,” he said.

(NAN)