The Lagos State Government has commenced the 2026 Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme across the state’s six Health Districts, with the Health District I edition held at Taofeek Adaranijo Event Centre, Abekoko, Orile-Agege.
The programme, implemented through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, is designed to promote maternal and child wellbeing, improve access to nutritional support and increase awareness of available healthcare services.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, said the initiative was part of the government’s commitment to social protection and support for vulnerable families.
Tajudeen said 5,000 nutritional food packs would be distributed to pregnant women across the six Health Districts, representing an increase from the more than 2,000 beneficiaries recorded in 2025. He added that the programme would also provide an avenue for direct engagement with residents and feedback on government services.
The Permanent Secretary, OPL&CE, Engr Sholabomi Shasore, said the initiative was aimed at bringing government closer to the people while providing an opportunity for residents and healthcare workers to share concerns and suggestions on improving healthcare and other public services.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District I, Dr Sola Pitan, urged residents to utilise available healthcare facilities and commended healthcare workers for their contributions to service delivery. He also advised residents to promptly seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of diphtheria or suspect exposure, noting that treatment for the disease is provided free by the state government.
Pitan further encouraged residents to enrol in Ilera Eko, the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, and urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive their free routine immunisations.
The Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon Akinola Abiodun Idowu, said the programme would contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of mothers, infants and children. He urged residents to take advantage of available services, including routine immunisation, family planning, Vitamin A supplementation, malnutrition screening, birth registration, maternal healthcare, HIV screening, and tuberculosis screening and treatment.
A major highlight of the programme was the distribution of nutritional packs containing dry pap, milk, beverages, oat flour, semovita, beans, garri, rice and eggs to pregnant women to support maternal nutrition and the wellbeing of expectant mothers and their unborn children.
