The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), Rotary International District 9126, has commenced a strategic engagement with the Kwara State Government following an advocacy visit to the Kwara State Ministry of Health aimed at exploring areas of collaboration to improve community health outcomes across the State.
The advocacy visit was led by the District RHCC Chairperson, Rtn. Prof. Khadijat Toyin Musah, who was accompanied by the Secretary, District 9126 RHCC.
The Chairperson was received by the Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the RHCC team to formally present the initiative and discuss how Rotary can support existing government health priorities without duplicating ongoing interventions.
Discussions focused particularly on major childhood health challenges, including malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition, with emphasis on practical, community-based approaches that can complement the efforts of the State Government.
The RHCC Chairperson explained that Rotary’s contribution would leverage its extensive community network and partnerships through community mobilisation, health promotion and education, engagement of frontline health workers, advocacy, evidence-informed interventions and other mutually agreed areas of need.
The Permanent Secretary appreciated Rotary International for the initiative and reaffirmed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with RHCC and other development partners in advancing the health priorities of the State.
He noted that meaningful partnerships remain critical to improving health outcomes and strengthening the health indices of Kwara State, assuring the RHCC team of the Ministry’s support for the initiative.
The RHCC Chairperson also informed the Ministry’s management that the District Governor, Rotary International District 9126, Rtn. Olaniyi Amoo Okin, is scheduled to visit Kwara State on 21 September 2026 for the official flag-off of the RHCC initiative in the State.
The Ministry expressed its readiness to receive the District Governor and support the official commencement of the programme.
The District Governor had earlier formally appointed the RHCC Chairperson for the 2026–2027 Rotary Year, with responsibilities including supporting the District Governor in achieving district health goals, promoting awareness of RHCC initiatives, strengthening engagement with relevant health structures and committees, and facilitating effective reporting and implementation of the District’s health priorities.
As part of the advocacy engagement, the RHCC team also met with the Nutrition Programme Manager, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr Habeeb Lawal to explore opportunities for targeted nutrition interventions.
Discussions centred on identifying priority Local Government Areas and communities with significant nutrition needs, with the Ministry expressing its willingness to provide relevant state-level nutrition data. The data will support evidence-based planning and help ensure that RHCC interventions are strategically directed towards communities with the greatest needs.
The advocacy visit represents an important milestone in the implementation of the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge in Kwara State and underscores Rotary’s commitment to working alongside government and other stakeholders to address priority health challenges.
Through this partnership, RHCC seeks to contribute to healthier families, stronger communities and improved health outcomes, while supporting the priorities and existing systems of the Kwara State Government.
The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge remains committed to creating lasting impact through partnership, community action and sustainable health interventions across Kwara State.
