Kwara moves to curb teenage pregnancy, child marriage

The Kwara State Government is taking significant steps to reduce teenage pregnancy and child marriage, aiming to improve maternal and child health. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to enhance healthcare outcomes throughout the state.

“

We have implemented programmes to reduce teenage pregnancy and child marriage in collaboration with our development partners through sustained community sensitisation and other interventions aimed to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Dr. Amina El-Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, announced the intensified efforts at the finalization of the 2026 Joint Annual Review of the health sector in Ilorin. She highlighted that sustained investments and collaborations with development partners have begun to show measurable results.

The state's strategy centers on community sensitization campaigns, maternal health interventions, and family planning programs. El-Imam emphasized the government's commitment under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to reforming the health sector, focusing on infrastructure, primary healthcare, human resources, health insurance, and disease control.

“

These reforms have focused on infrastructure development, primary healthcare revitalisation, human resource strengthening, health insurance expansion and aggressive disease control programmes.

Furthermore, the government is strengthening referral systems and building the capacity of frontline health workers to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Investments in specialized healthcare services, including the Children Specialist Hospital and midwifery training institutions, are also being prioritized to bolster the state's health workforce.

“

The review provides us with an opportunity to assess our progress, identify challenges and agree on priority actions. Institutionalising the Sector-Wide Approach has strengthened coordination, planning and collaboration among all stakeholders in the health sector.