The Lagos State Government has expanded its annual maternal and child nutrition intervention to 5,000 pregnant women across the state’s six health districts. This represents a significant increase from the 2,000 beneficiaries reached under the programme last year. The intervention is part of the 2026 Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme, implemented through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement.
The programme was launched in Abekoko, Agege, with the distribution of nutritional food packs to pregnant women. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Afolabi Tajudeen, said the programme aimed to provide nutritional support to pregnant women and connect vulnerable families with healthcare services. He emphasized that the initiative was part of the state’s wider social protection programme, recognizing the implications of maternal and child health for the state’s long-term development.
According to Tajudeen, the programme reflected the government’s commitment to social protection, support for vulnerable families, and ensuring that women and children are not left behind in the development process. The initiative is designed to promote maternal and child wellbeing, improve access to essential nutritional support, and strengthen awareness of available healthcare services. This aligns with the state’s efforts to address the needs of its most vulnerable populations.
The programme also provides an opportunity for the government to engage directly with residents, gather feedback, and strengthen the connection between government programmes and the people they serve. Tajudeen noted that beyond the distribution of food packs, the initiative serves as a platform for residents to share their experiences and challenges in accessing healthcare and other public services. This feedback mechanism is crucial for improving service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Sholabomi Shasore, emphasized the importance of direct feedback from residents in identifying gaps and improving healthcare delivery. She urged residents to speak openly about their experiences with government services, highlighting that this feedback could inform policy and programme adjustments. Shasore also appealed to healthcare workers to provide feedback from the communities they served.
The programme features the distribution of food packs containing essential items such as dry pap, milk, and oat flour to pregnant women. Additionally, residents have access to a range of services, including routine immunisation, family planning, and HIV screening. The Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Akinola Idowu, noted that the programme provided residents with access to these critical services, which are essential for improving health outcomes.
The Lagos Government continues to implement the Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme as part of its broader social intervention and community engagement programmes. The programme’s expansion to 5,000 beneficiaries underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of pregnant women and children across the state. The initiative also highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and community stakeholders in promoting maternal and child health.
Key points
- The Lagos State Government has expanded its maternal nutrition programme to 5,000 pregnant women across six health districts.
- The programme provides nutritional support and connects vulnerable families with healthcare services.
- The initiative serves as a platform for residents to provide feedback on government services.
