World Health Day 2025: Tolu Bankole Urges Action to Protect Mothers, Newborns

World Health Day 2025: Tolu Bankole Urges Action to Protect Mothers, Newborns

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Aare (Hon.) Tolu Bankole, has emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the health of mothers and newborns.

Bankole made this appeal on Monday, in a statement he personally signed to
commemorate World Health Day 2025.

According to the Chairman, this year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” stresses the importance of ensuring that every woman and child has access to quality healthcare services from pregnancy through childbirth and the postnatal period.

“Today, I join the global community, the Federal Ministry of Health, and all Nigerians to commemorate World Health Day 2025 with the theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”

“This year’s focus on maternal and newborn health highlights the urgent need to ensure that every woman and child has access to quality care from pregnancy through childbirth and the postnatal period. The health of mothers and babies is the foundation of strong families and a prosperous nation,” Bankole said.

He noted that nearly 300,000 women die annually from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth globally, while over 2 million newborns die or are stillborn.

“These are preventable tragedies that demand urgent and sustained action. Every seven seconds, a life is lost that could have been saved with timely care,” he stated.

Speaking in his capacity as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Bankole commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR-led APC government for its impactful interventions in the health sector across the country.

“The administration has significantly revitalized primary healthcare centres across the six geopolitical zones, ensuring greater access to essential services. Budgetary allocation to health has increased, with specific attention to maternal and child health initiatives.

“Health insurance coverage has been expanded to include more vulnerable populations, enabling more women and children to access affordable care.

“The recruitment and training of healthcare workers, especially midwives and community health officers, have improved the delivery of essential services in rural and underserved areas. Federal health institutions are also seeing improvements in infrastructure and medical equipment, strengthening the overall capacity of our healthcare system,” he said.

The APC Chieftain therefore urged all Nigerians, especially women to prioritize their health.

“Women should attend regular antenatal and postnatal checkups. Families must support one another in seeking early medical attention. Our health system must evolve to address not only direct obstetric complications but also mental health, noncommunicable diseases, and reproductive health challenges.

“Let us mark this World Health Day by raising awareness about maternal and newborn health, advocating for greater investments in healthcare, supporting parents and frontline health workers, and spreading accurate information that helps families make informed health choices.

“A healthy Nigeria begins with healthy mothers and children. Together, we can ensure hopeful futures for every family,” Bankole concluded.