MRS AKEREDOLU FLAGS OFF 2023 MATERNAL NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH WEEK
The wife of Ondo State Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has flagged off the year 2023 maternal, Newborn and Child Health week with a call to Mothers and Care givers to take advantage of the improved health system in the state by visiting the facilities nearest to them and benefit from the various government health Interventions.
Mrs Akeredolu who was represented by the Commissioner for women affairs and Social Development , Dr (Mrs) Juliana Osadahun commended the health Interventions of the state government which had raised the state above its contemporaries in the health sector.
She mentioned some significant achievements made in the state to include Vitamin “A” coverage of 107% in February 2023 , exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 23.8% to 51.5 % in the recent MICs 6 survey.
Mrs Akeredolu also applauded the Primary Health Care Development Agency for winning the award of best cold chain management in the Country, for leading other states in integrated measles compaign in Nov. 2022 and Jan. 2023 which had attracted letter of commendation from National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Similarly, the first lady commended the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency for the recent PHC leadership Award which was anchored by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF and other Partners where Ondo State won $500,000.
In his speech the Commissioner for Health Dr Banji Ajaka said the state has impacted positively on routine immunization and maternal Newborn Child Health since inception.
Dr Ajaka said the MNCHW was a week long event organised to deliver an integrated package of preventive services known to be highly cost effective for improving Maternal and child survival.
Also in his remarks , the Permanent Secretary of Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu attributed the successes in the primary health sector to the unwavering support of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON.
Dr. Akanbiemu recalled that the Governor approved the release of funds to purchase 2 200KVA generator to power the cold chain and this has raised the cold chain over and above other cold chains in the country, thus , the cold chain became the best managed following an independent assessment of Cold Chain in the country with an award of best Cold Chain management to the state.
In his goodwill message, the representative of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Talaat Aladesawe commended the Governor for doing well in the health sector noting that the World Health Organization would continue to intensify efforts on routine immunization and other health needs in the State.
Highlights of the programme was administration of vitamin A supplement and deworming tablets to the Children .
The event was attended by health experts, royal fathers, religious leaders, Iyalojas, representative of Parents Teachers Association, representative of National Population Commission, National Orientation Agency, Nursing mothers, and
Pupils of some selected primary schools .
Bolaji Bolarinwa
OSPHCDA.
