LASG KICKS OFF ANNUAL MOTHER, INFANT CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ACROSS IBILE DIVISION
… Holds Health District I Edition
The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), has commenced the Y2026 Mother, Infant and Child Development (MICHD) Programme across the six Health Districts of Lagos State, with the Health District I edition held at the Taofeek Adaranijo Event Centre, 228, Ipaja Road, Abekoko, Beside Orile Agege Local Council Development Area Secretariat, Lagos State.
Speaking at the flag-off Ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, said that the initiative is designed to promote maternal and child wellbeing, improve access to essential nutritional support and strengthen awareness of available healthcare services, adding that it forms part of the State Government’s continued commitment to social protection, support for vulnerable families and ensuring that women and children are not left behind in the development process.
He further added that the health and nutrition of children in their early years can significantly influence their future, while mothers also require adequate care, support and access to relevant health information, noting that the development of Lagos must go hand in hand with the wellbeing of families.
Dr. Afolabi stated that 5,000 nutritional food packs will be distributed to pregnant women across the six Health Districts under the 2026 MICHD Programme, an improvement on the over 2,000 pregnant women who benefited from the intervention across the Health Districts in 2025. He explained that beyond the distribution of food packs, the initiative serves as an opportunity for the Government to engage directly with residents, get their feedback and strengthen the connection between Government programmes and the people they are designed to serve.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore, stated that the programme was designed to bring Government closer to the people and create an opportunity for meaningful engagement with residents.
She noted that such initiatives are part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to reach out to residents, promote inclusive Governance and better understand the needs of communities, particularly issues affecting the health and wellbeing of mothers and children.
Engr. Shasore encouraged residents to freely share their experiences, concerns and suggestions on how healthcare and general government services could be improved. She noted that direct feedback from residents would enable the Government to better understand community needs, identify areas requiring attention and strengthen policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of families across Lagos State.
She also encouraged healthcare workers to share their experiences and observations from the communities they serve, stressing that their feedback is equally important to effective Governance and service delivery. She emphasised that sustained engagement between Government, healthcare providers and residents would help identify gaps, strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure that services provided at the grassroots respond effectively to the needs of the communities.
Giving his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District I, Dr. Sola Pitan, while appreciating Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their continued commitment to healthcare delivery, particularly for pregnant women, mothers and children, noted that the programme was another demonstration of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to providing accessible and quality healthcare services at the grassroots.
Commending the Medical Officers of Health and other healthcare professionals for their dedication and contributions to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the wellbeing of residents, he urged residents to take advantage of healthcare facilities available across the state to access essential healthcare services.
He further encouraged residents to protect themselves and their families against Diphtheria, advising anyone who develops symptoms or suspects exposure to promptly report to a healthcare facility for appropriate medical attention. He noted that diphtheria treatment is provided free of charge by the Lagos State Government and urged residents not to delay in seeking medical care.
Dr. Pitan also encouraged the beneficiaries to register for Ilera Eko, the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, to access affordable and quality healthcare services, while urging parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive their free routine immunisation.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon. Akinola Abiodun Idowu, described the event as an initiative that directly impacts the health and wellbeing of mothers, infants and children and called on residents to take advantage of the free health services available, including routine immunisation, family planning, Vitamin A supplementation, malnutrition screening, birth registration, maternal healthcare, HIV screening, and tuberculosis screening and treatment for residents.
He also called on mothers to make the most of the opportunity by seeking timely medical attention and adopting healthy practices that would promote the wellbeing of their families.
He commended the Lagos State Government, OPL&CE, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board and Health District I for bringing healthcare interventions closer to the people, assuring residents that Orile-Agege LCDA would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to support programmes that would improve the health and welfare of its residents.
A major highlight was the distribution of nutritional food packs (Dry pap, Milk, Beverage, Oat Flour, Semovita, Beans, Garri, rice, and Eggs) to pregnant women to support maternal nutrition and promote the health and wellbeing of expectant mothers and their unborn children.
More photos below.
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