As part of efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in Kwara State, the state government has distributed free delivery kits to pregnant women at all 193 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. This initiative reaffirms its commitment to providing equitable, high-quality healthcare services across the state.

Professor Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), announced the initiative during a media briefing on Monday. A subsequent statement by Alade Opeyemi, KWSPHCDA's Press Secretary, highlighted Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's administration's focus on women and children's health.

Professor Elelu stressed that free delivery kits-available at every PHC facility in Kwara's wards-are a critical step toward safer childbirth. She stated: "Access to clean delivery materials is not just a healthcare necessity but a fundamental right for every expectant mother. This initiative addresses a key community need and improves maternal and infant health outcomes."

Elelu reiterated that the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency is aware of the challenges faced by expectant mothers, particularly those from underserved communities, such as lack of access to basic healthcare supplies which contributes to preventable complications during childbirth.

The Executive Secretary emphasised that this initiative emanated from the State Government and supported by the World Bank IMPACT project, with the aim of prioritising the provision of essential resources in order to bridge the gaps and promote positive health outcomes in Kwara State.

Elelu stated that the benefitting PHCs are only allowed to charge a maximum of N2,000 Only for other expenses while patients covered under Kwara Health Insurance are exempted from paying the sum, revealing that a toll-free line has also been launched and would be made widely available in all our PHCs to report sharp practices and for grievance redress mechanism.

In his remark, the Programme Manager of the IMPACT Project, Dr Michael Oguntoye, lauded the initiative, restating that investing in maternal and child healthcare can 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. The provision of free kits for mother and baby care at birth will improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare disparities and promote economic growth, while also upholding human rights and dignity especially for the less privilege" he said.

Oguntoye said one of the objectives of IMPACT project is to improve maternal and child outcomes in the country, noting that these efforts include revitalisation of health facilities, demand generation, capacity building for human resource for health and community linkage amongst others.

The free delivery kits will be made available in all the 193 Basic Health Care Provision Fund/IMPACT supported health facilities in the state.