In line with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five, the Kwara State Government on Monday flagged-off National Newborn and Health Week (NNHW) which will run from Monday to Friday in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the occasion at Ajikobi Cottage Hospital, Okekere, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdul Kayode Isa, said the programme was designed for pregnant women and children between age zero to five in order to reduce maternal mortality and child morbidity.

According to him, a lot of supplements will be given to children, such as vitamin A and other vitamins to improve their wellbeing, growth hormone among others.

"The State Government spent about N8 million as counter-fund for the programme, while UNICEF spent about N7 million for staff training and mobilising health workers across the 16 local governments," the commissioner said.

He, however, commended the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWPHCDA) for supplying consumable, and UNICEF for their support toward improving health care services of the state.

In her remark, the Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF, Kaduna Chapter, Dr Florence Oni, explained that the programme was also meant to drive mothers to access and take advantage of health intervention facilities.

She lamented that most parents never take medical attention seriously especially for their children, noting that this called for the attention of Federal Government to introduce the national newborn and health week in conjunction with foreign donors.

Speaking at Cottage Hospital, Olorunshogo, the Chairman of Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Aisat Ayinke Saka, stressed the importance of frequent checking of child growth in order to determine any deficiency.

She, however, advised parents to always wash their hands and that of their children before feeding to prevent diarrhea, cholera and other diseases. She therefore appealed to parents to use drugs given to them.