…State Government Partners UNICEF for Intensive 10-Day Capacity Building on Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care
#KwaraRising
In a strategic effort to further reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates across Kwara State, the government has launched a 10-day intensive training for 50 frontline healthcare workers across all 16 Local Government Areas. The training, which began on Monday, May 26, 2025, is being organized by the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency with support from UNICEF and other development partners.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Peace Hotel and Suites, Tanke, Ilorin, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, emphasized that the initiative is part of the state government’s broader commitment to improving the quality of maternal and child health services.
“This is the second time we are organizing this specialized training on Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC), and the impact has been remarkable,” Prof. Elelu stated. “The first round not only doubled the number of safe deliveries in our primary healthcare centres, but also significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality. Kwara is now one of the safest places in the country to give birth.”
Prof. Elelu acknowledged the visionary leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, highlighting his recent recruitment of 105 additional frontline health workers and his commitment to revitalizing primary healthcare infrastructure across the state. She noted that each geopolitical zone now has at least one functional, well-staffed PHC, thanks to the Governor’s “revolutionary investments in healthcare.”
She also commended the facilitators and encouraged the trainees to approach the program with utmost seriousness, stressing the critical role they play in managing complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, Director of Primary Health Care Systems, noted that the training is designed to enhance the capacity of available health workers to respond to the needs of local communities. “With this initiative, we are preparing our workforce to reduce preventable deaths and meet global health targets,” he said.
The Lead Facilitator, Prof. Hadijat Raji of the University of Ilorin’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, stressed the urgent need for capacity building in maternal and newborn care. “Despite progress, maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria remain unacceptably high, mostly due to delays in care,” she said. “This training will equip participants with the skills to identify and respond to life-threatening complications quickly and effectively.”
Prof. Raji praised the Kwara State Government, UNICEF, and all supporting stakeholders for making the training possible, urging participants not only to apply what they’ve learned but also to serve as mentors and advocates within their healthcare facilities.
The training is expected to conclude on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with a renewed pool of well-trained, frontline health workers ready to scale impact across the state’s health system, especially at the grassroots level.
