The Zonal Technical Officer, Primary Health Care Development Agency,  Mrs Titilayo Amudipe, on Thursday said more than  350 pregnant women benefited from the free health care services of  SURE-P in Kwara State.

Amudipe said this in Ilorin  at an advocacy programme to reduce maternal mortality rate in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting, which was convened at the instance of  SURE-P, North Central Zone,  was attended by stakeholders and  representatives of various women organisations in the state.

Amudipe, however,  said only six local government areas were currently benefiting from the initiative.

She identified the local governments as Ilorin East, Asa, Moro, Ekiti, Oke-Ero and Kaiama.

Amudipe, however,  expressed optimism that the programme would be extended to the remaining  10 councils in  the state.

The Zonal Technical Officer called on the benefiting councils to desist from levying  pregnant women visiting  the hospitals.

She also  advised more pregnant women to register with health centres  providing  free treatment, stating that adequate drugs and other materials were in abundance.

Delivering a keynote address, the Executive Director, Maiyarwuya Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Adamu Yussuf, called on  wives of local government chairmen to ensure that trained health attendants were posted to the grassroots.

Yussuf  also urged them to promote the formulation and implementation of bye-laws that would enhance the wellbeing of women and children.