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Kwara State has emerged as one of the top performers in maternal healthcare in Nigeria’s North Central region.This was announced by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam during the finalisation of the 2026 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the health sector in Ilorin.
El-Imam said the state’s progress was driven by sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, primary healthcare, health insurance, workforce development and governance reforms.
“Kwara’s performance is a reflection of deliberate investments in our health system,” she said. “We have continued to strengthen infrastructure, expand access to primary healthcare and improve coordination across the sector.”
Citing findings from the 2025–26 Nigeria Mini Demographic and Health Survey, the commissioner said Kwara recorded the highest coverage of four or more antenatal care visits in the North Central at 71 per cent, as well as the highest rate of iron supplementation during pregnancy at 75.6 per cent.
According to her, the state also ranked second in skilled birth attendance with 70 per cent coverage.
El-Imam said Kwara also leads the region in family planning, with a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of 31.3 per cent and the highest demand for family planning services among North Central states.
“Teenage pregnancy in Kwara remains below both the regional and national averages,” she said, attributing the achievement to sustained reproductive health interventions.
The commissioner said the institutionalisation of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), alongside investments through the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, HOPE-PHC, EU-SARAH and the Global Fund, had strengthened coordination and expanded access to quality healthcare, especially for vulnerable groups.
She added that the recent inauguration of the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (SEMSAS) and the Referral System for Maternal and Newborn Health (RESMAT), as well as investments in the Children Specialist Hospital, Centre Igboro, and the expansion of midwifery training institutions, would further improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Despite the gains, she acknowledged gaps in intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy, facility-based deliveries and postnatal care utilisation.
Addressing newsmen, Sector-Wide Approach Coordinator for Kwara State, Dr. Abdulqadri Ahmed, explained that the forum brings together various agencies, departments, and programmes within the state’s Ministry of Health to evaluate their progress and refine future strategies.
Ahmed added that by examining data and reflecting on both successful initiatives and existing challenges, the forum seeks to identify specific gaps in care delivery.
Royal Fathers at the event, including the Olupo of Ajase Ippo, Ohoro of Shao and Mogaji Aare of Ilorin, pledged continue support to the health sector through proper orientation and routine engagements, especial on teenage pregnancy.
Harmony FM reports that the programme featured performance summary presentations, question and answer and top management validation of findings and recommendations.
