The Kwara State Government has launched an intensified sensitisation drive urging pregnant women to prioritise antenatal care and deliver their babies in health facilities under the supervision of skilled professionals.

The campaign, organised by the Kwara State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, formed part of activities marking the International Day of the Midwife and focused on reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the state.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, told participants that early registration for antenatal care and strict adherence to clinic appointments were critical to safeguarding the lives of mothers and babies.

He explained that regular antenatal visits enable health workers to monitor pregnancy, detect complications early and provide timely interventions, stressing that many life-threatening conditions can be successfully managed when identified promptly.

Abdullahi appealed to expectant mothers to ensure that labour and delivery take place in hospitals or accredited health centres, where skilled birth attendants and emergency care are available, rather than relying on unregulated settings.

As part of the outreach, the ministry distributed delivery kits to pregnant women to encourage consistent clinic attendance, hospital-based delivery and better birth preparedness at household level.

UNFPA Focal Person, Gloria Enueze, described midwives as indispensable to safe motherhood, noting that they provide essential care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.

She also underscored the importance of family planning, saying that informed choices about when and how often to have children help reduce health risks for women and improve outcomes for newborns, while contributing to stronger families and communities.

Head of Department of Health, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Hajia Sulyman Ajibola, urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the delivery kits and to adopt simple preventive measures such as sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets to reduce malaria in pregnancy.

Officials said the sensitisation campaign reflects the commitment of the Kwara State Government and its partners to strengthen maternal health services, expand access to skilled care and ensure that more women across the state experience safe pregnancy and childbirth.