Niger State has unveiled a comprehensive maternal and child health campaign aimed at delivering critical healthcare services to vulnerable populations. The initiative targets 2 million young children and 600,000 women, as part of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) and National Immunisation Plus Days.
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Governor Umaru Bago — represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba — described the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s New Niger Agenda and a proactive step towards improving public health outcomes.
“The reduction of maternal and child mortality is not just a goal; it is a moral imperative,” Bago said. “We are investing in nutrition and immunisation because they are essential to long-term sustainable development.”
The governor affirmed the state’s commitment to boosting healthcare delivery, citing recent reforms such as the rehabilitation of primary healthcare facilities in all local wards and recruitment of health professionals, particularly in underserved regions.
Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Niger’s Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, said the MNCHW platform is crucial in fighting maternal and child deaths, offering free interventions such as deworming medication, antenatal services, mosquito net distribution, and birth registration.
Representatives of international organisations also lent their support. WHO official Aliyu Suleiman praised the state government for its leadership in healthcare, while UNICEF WASH expert Theresa Pamma said the campaign reflects Niger’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of its most vulnerable citizens.
