As the world marks World Health Day, the Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to collective action towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) for residents of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Hameed Amina El-Imam, stated this during a press conference to commemorate World Health Day 2026 at the Kwara State Ministry of Health.

Dr El-Imam described the annual celebration as an opportunity to review progress made in the health sector and strengthen partnerships aimed at improving public health outcomes.

She attributed recent achievements in the state's health sector to the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, noting that sustained investments and collaboration with development partners have improved healthcare delivery, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Citing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the commissioner said Kwara recorded the lowest under-five mortality rate in the country, with 14 deaths per 1,000 live births, alongside high immunisation coverage and increased utilisation of maternal health services.

According to her, antenatal care attendance in the state stands at 96.8 percent, while facility-based deliveries have risen to 77.6 percent.

She added that the state currently ranks among those with the best health indices nationwide, describing the upgrade of the General Hospital, Ilorin, into a teaching hospital as a major milestone that will boost healthcare service delivery, improve workforce development and strengthen research capacity.

Dr El-Imam urged residents to embrace healthy lifestyles and support government health initiatives, while calling on healthcare workers to remain dedicated to providing quality services.

She also appealed to researchers, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to deepen collaboration and promote accurate health information.

The commissioner explained that the theme for World Health Day 2026, "Together for Health: Stand with Science," highlights the importance of science, innovation and partnerships in safeguarding the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment, in line with the global One Health approach.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, in his World Health Day message, called on African governments to increase investment in science, research and innovation as a pathway to achieving health security and sustainable development.

Dr Janabi stressed that science has played a vital role in improving health outcomes and tackling emerging health challenges across the continent.

He cited the rapid development and deployment of Ebola vaccines in West and Central Africa, as well as genomic surveillance in South Africa which enabled early detection of COVID-19 variants, as examples of how scientific advancement has strengthened public health response.

He added that scientific innovations have also contributed to expanded immunisation programmes, improved HIV management through antiretroviral therapy and better maternal and child health outcomes, leading to reduced mortality rates among mothers and newborns.

The WHO official further advocated the adoption of the One Health approach, which promotes coordinated action across sectors to address health risks linked to humans, animals and the environment.