The Kwara State Government, with the support of development Partners, has flagged off the 2025 Integrated Health Outreach (I-HOP), aimed at increasing the uptake of routine immunization and other Primary Health Care (PHC) services across the 193 wards in the state.
The intervention will also strengthen the primary health care outputs in the third and fourth quarters of year 2025 by delivering a package of high-impact interventions directly to the doorsteps of most vulnerable populations irrespective of the location.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony on Monday at the PHC facility in Tanke, Ilorin, the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the exercise was borne out of the state government’s shared commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for a healthier and stronger Kwara State.
Prof. Elelu explained that the PHC services will be comprehensive and integrated, targeting 166,309 children under one year of age, 831,554 children under 5 years of age and 207,885 pregnant women, among others and noted that the intervention will provide all routine immunization antigens for children who are due, Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccines for pregnant women and adolescent girls, general health consultations including screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index and nutrition-related services.
The Executive Secretary stated that there would be a system for referrals to higher-level medical care when needed and added that the agency has partnered with the State Ministry of Livestock to carry out a Nomadic Outreach Strategy, which is being deployed to remote and underserved nomadic settlements, stressing that “health threat anywhere is health threat everywhere.”
Prof. Elelu explained that Integrated Health Outreach Programme is not a mere exercise but a mission with clear and measurable objectives, saying that the intervention is targeted at achieving greater than 80 per cent coverage for the third dose of the Pentavalent vaccine planned for the fourth quarter of this year.
She added that the intervention is also aimed at building and sustaining demand for ante-natal care services, by systematically earning the trust and confidence of our clients, while enjoining mothers, fathers, guardians and caregivers to avail themselves this opportunities to protect their children.
While encouraging all religious and traditional leaders to work with health workers to ensure the success of the intervention, the Executive Secretary commended the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering support and for providing enabling environment and resources for the initiative.
Prof. Elelu also appreciated the state government for making available, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (Project HOPE) as well as all the Partners in the state for their technical and financial support.
In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayodeji Abdullahi Taoheed, stated that the Governor has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the well-being of citizens, especially through his unwavering support for the health sector – from recruitment and facility upgrades to structural reforms.
Dr. Taoheed added that it is important to continue appreciating Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his visionary leadership, commending the KWSPHCDA for its steadfast dedication to advancing primary healthcare delivery across the state.
In her goodwill message, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Oluwabunmi Ajayi, said WHO is proud to serve as an implementing partner in this intervention, with strong visibility across the state, stating that “we’ll work collaboratively to ensure the success of the integrated health outreach. It’s a laudable initiative and we’re truly glad to be part of it.”
The State Team Lead of African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Dr. Atinuke Ahmed, said the organization is proud to collaborate with the agency and remains committed to supporting it in all programmes aimed at improving healthcare services across the state.
The State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Dare AbdulGaniyu, implored everyone to take full advantage of the free healthcare outreach provided by the state government and cautioned against self-medication or overdose, while calling for collective cooperation to ensure the success of this initiative.
