Flags Off HIV Awareness, Commissions EKSUTH Children’s Ward, Launches 2025 MNCH/Breastfeeding Week
The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, on Monday led a sweeping series of health-focused engagements, ranging from HIV awareness to maternal and child health advocacy and infrastructural development, demonstrating the state’s renewed drive for a healthier, more resilient population.
The activities began at her office in Ado-Ekiti with the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, where Dr Oyebanji joined stakeholders, health advocates, and community representatives to promote preventive healthcare and strengthen public understanding of HIV.
In her keynote address, the Ekiti First Lady urged residents to know their HIV status, seek early treatment and practice healthy lifestyles, emphasizing that personal responsibility remains crucial in breaking transmission chains.
She also cautioned against harmful stigma, calling for compassion and support for people living with HIV.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending the spread of HIV.
At the same time, the Executive Secretary of the State AIDS Control Agency (ESACA), Dr Ojo Dairo, commended Ekiti’s low transmission rate and minimal treatment interruption achieved through coordinated efforts.
Later in the day, the First Lady commissioned the newly renovated Children’s Ward at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) where she lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, describing the hospital’s ongoing upgrades as visionary and impactful.
Dr Oyebanji also highlighted broader advancements under the administration, including the historic commencement of flight operations in the state on December 10, 2025; an initiative she said would boost economic growth, healthcare access and emergency response.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Filani and the Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Professor Kayode Olabanji, praised the collaborative efforts that made the renovation possible.
The Ekiti State Governor’s Wife toured the upgraded facility, expressing confidence that it would significantly improve pediatric care and patient outcomes.
Rounding off the day’s events, Dr Oyebanji hosted the official flag-off of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) and Breastfeeding Week, also held at her office.
The ceremony brought together development partners, health workers and mothers from across the state.
She emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for child development, immunity and overall well-being, urging mothers to adopt proper nutrition and healthy habits.
She also announced that insecticide-treated nets would be distributed as part of the week’s activities to prevent malaria among mothers and newborns.
Representatives of UNICEF, WHO, NPHCDA and other stakeholders delivered goodwill messages, underscoring the value of breastfeeding and improved maternal health practices.
The MNCH/Breastfeeding Week will feature outreach programmes, nutritional counselling, health education and interventions designed to strengthen child survival and enhance family health across Ekiti State.
