Anambra State government has inaugurated the commencement of the first round of the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week (MNCHW).
The event took place yesterday, at Community Secondary School, Umuoba Anam, Anambra East local government area of the state.
The five day programme which started yesterday would end on 7th July, 2017 and would witness healthcare attention and administration of vitamin A supplement and de-worming tablets to children within 6 to 59 months, and routine antigens to children within 0 to 11 months.
Other services include free medical attention to pregnant women, birth registration among others.
Speaking while performing the inauguration ceremony, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano reassured that his administration would increase its strength of support and investment in the health sector by providing various facilities that would improve its standard of operation.
Governor Obiano disclosed that his administration had provided over 27 speed boats and 8 functional speed boat ambulances to ensure rapid health attention, especially at the remote areas where people have difficulties in accessing health care centres.
The Governor revealed that maternal mortality rate in the state had dropped from 253 to 93 per 100,000 birth, while infant mortality rate had also dropped from 112 to 73, saying that Anambra State had been declared Polio free by the World Health Organisation.
He noted that his government would soon embark on construction of nurses’ quarters alongside the ongoing renovation of primary health centres across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike regretted the high rates of maternal and infant mortality, which according to him, the programme was aimed to reduce drastically.
Dr. Akabuike said the governor had mapped out stringent measures to ensure total reduction, such as renovation of 63 primary healthcare centres, to add to the functional 100 in the state.
He revealed that the governor had equally provided facilities and adequate logistics to ensure prompt response to emergency situations and give access to health centres in remote places.
The State Coordinator, World Heath Organisation (WHO), Mr. Willy Onuorah, said the programme would offer child survival and development as it would give opportunity for everyone to examine their health, especially mother and children.
Mr. Onuorah while commending Governor Obiano for his achievements in health sector, urged religious and traditional leaders to disseminate the information to their various communities.
He Pleaded with the governor for more logistics to enable them sustain the tempo, saying WHO would always support his health policies.
The WHO Coordinator noted that the MNCHW was approved by the National Council on Health and has been instituted as a twice a year event aimed at reducing the present unacceptable but preventable maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and morality towards the realization of the SDGs.
“The platform gives access equitably to mothers and children to a package of high impact and cost effective survival and development interventions in a very cost effective manner.
“It will offer a routine immunization, ANC malaria prevention and cure, sensitization on polio eradication, HIV/AIDS screening, prevention and cure, key household practices of Exclusive Breast Feeding, ORT, Hand Washing, birth registration, among others.
“Appealed to State Government, NGO, stakeholders, traditional rulers to support and sustain the laudable programme and other health achievements by the present administration”. Mr Onuorah added.
The Transition Chairman Anambra East local government Area, Mr. Pius Ifeadi said the scheme when implemented would improve universal health coverage and by extension, improve life expectancy of Ndi Anambra.
Some of the items distributed were various drugs supplements, mosquito nets and some snacks items.
The highlight was dispensation of supplements to children by Governor Obiano.
Send your news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @reportersinfo and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
