The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) under the EU SARAH Programme has commenced training of 193 Volunteer Health Mobilisers (VHMs).
The mobilisers were drawn from 193 wards across the state to strengthen demand for quality maternal, newborn and child health services.
The two-day residential training, which took place in Ilorin, the state capital is aimed at equipping the volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to mobilise communities, promote healthy practices and increase the utilisation of essential healthcare services.
Speaking at the Opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, who represented the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said the training was designed to accelerate demand generation activities under the RAMCAN programme and ultimately eliminate maternal and neonatal mortality in the state.
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She explained that the Volunteer Health Mobilisers would serve as vital links between communities and health facilities by encouraging pregnant women to register early for antenatal care (ANC) and complete at least four ANC visits before delivery.
According to her, early and regular antenatal attendance enables health workers to detect complications promptly and refer expectant mothers to appropriate health facilities, thereby reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
Dr El-Imam also urged the mobilisers to educate nursing mothers on the importance of routine immunisation and ensure that children receive all recommended vaccines to protect them from preventable childhood diseases
She expressed confidence that the volunteers would witness remarkable strides the Kwara State Government had made in improving healthcare delivery as they carry out their assignments across communities
In his remarks, the State Health Promotion Officer, Mallam Jubril Abdulkarim, explained that the training had been divided into two batches to ensure effective participation.
The first batch, holding from July 1 to July 2, 2026, comprises participants from Baruten, Edu, Ifelodun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Kaiama, Patigi and Moro Local Government Areas.
He said the second batch, scheduled for July 3 to July 4, 2026, will accommodate participants from Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Isin, Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas.
He noted that Volunteer Health Mobilisers are community volunteers trained to educate families on maternal and child health, promote routine immunisation, identify clients who miss health appointments, provide referrals to health facilities, address misconceptions and fears about healthcare services.
He added that their responsibilities also included encouraging healthy practices within households and generating community feedback to improve service delivery.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Reproductive Health, Dr Uthman Dan-lami charged the Volunteer Health Mobilisers to carry out their responsibilities with commitment and dedication.
He urged them to ensure that every pregnant woman in their communities attends antenatal care regularly while encouraging nursing mothers to present their children for routine immunisation.
Dr Dan-lami also commended the Kwara State Government for its unwavering commitment and sustained support towards improving maternal, newborn and child health.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would further enhance healthcare outcomes across the state.
The training is expected to strengthen community participation in healthcare delivery, improve the uptake of maternal and child health services, increase routine immunisation coverage and contribute significantly to the state’s efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
