The Kwara State Government has deployed 1,500 health workers to launch its Integrated Health Outreach Programme (Kwara I-HOP), aimed at expanding access to essential medical services across the state.

The programme was officially flagged off on Monday in Ilorin by the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu.

She disclosed that the health workers would be assigned to 193 fixed primary healthcare centres and various temporary outreach posts throughout the state.

The initiative targets 166,309 children under one year, 831,554 under-five children, and 207,885 pregnant women, among other vulnerable groups.

Prof. Elelu explained that the multi-pronged strategy was designed to strengthen immunisation efforts and deliver a range of integrated health services, reinforcing the government's commitment to inclusive healthcare.

"The services we will provide are comprehensive and integrated," she said. "It is not just about one intervention; it is about the overall well-being of our people."

Kwara I-HOP is part of the state's broader agenda to improve maternal and child health outcomes and achieve equitable healthcare delivery.

"We will provide all Routine Immunisation antigens for deserving children, Tetanus Toxoid (Td) vaccines for our pregnant women and adolescent girls, general health consultations including screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and nutrition-related services".

Also speaking, the commissioner for communications, Bola Olukoju, urged nursing mothers to resist selling the drugs as well as not to abuse drugs.

The state coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO,) Dr. Olubunmi Ajayi, commended the state government's for prioritising primary healthcare.

She commended the leadership of Elelu in the agency, describing the agency as one of the prides of Governor AbduRahman AbduRazaq many achievements.