The Kwara State government has restated its commitment to the training and retraining of health workers to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and skills required to provide quality health care service delivery in the state.
The Executive Secretary Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nusirat Elelu reiterated this commitment at the closing of a five-day training organized by the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), with support of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ilorin.
Elelu described the training as far more than just another workshop, saying it is a critical step toward building a resilient healthcare system.
According to her, the training will help in the reduction of preventable maternal and perinatal mortality and strengthen the state’s investments in primary healthcare.
Elelu explained that the focus of the intensive sessions was the electronic Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (e-MPCDSR) platform.
“This digital system is designed to transform how health workers identify, notify, review, and respond to maternal, perinatal, and child deaths.
“Instead of losing precious time with delayed paperwork, the new system enables real-time data capture, accurate analysis, and swift action.
“The goal is clear: turn every tragedy into actionable knowledge that can save lives,” she added.
In her speech, Dr. Gloria Enueze, Sexual and Reproductive health specialist with UNFPA Nigeria, said the initiative represents UNFPA’s continued commitment to evidence-based solutions.
“The e-MPCDSR system is vital for identifying causes, generating recommendations, and ensuring no death goes unreviewed.
“Digitization improves data quality and dramatically speeds up our responses,” Enueze explained.
Dr. Gabi Omolade, the State MPCDSR Desk Officer stated that the training aims to deliver better data quality, stronger coordination, and prompt, life-saving responses.
“This effort in Kwara is part of UNFPA’s wider mission across Nigeria and globally strengthening midwifery skills, improving death surveillance systems, and driving down maternal and newborn mortality through sustained capacity building.
“Every trained health worker now carries new tools and renewed hope back to their communities.
“In the quiet moments between births and check-ups, these midwives and nurses will now be better equipped to catch warning signs early, document cases accurately,” Omolade said.
The training brought together 88 midwives, nurses, and other frontline health workers.
Most of them serve in Basic Health Care Provision Fund-supported facilities and local government area teams.
These are the people who stand at the frontlines when mothers and babies need help the most.
At the end of the training, participants were awarded with certificates of participation.
