SANWO-OLU FLAGS OFF Y2024 MATERNAL, NEWBORN, CHILD, ADOLESCENT HEALTH PLUS WEEK IN LAGOS

 By Yomi Durojaye 

… Says Over Five Million Children to Benefit from Free Child Health Services

SANWO-OLU FLAGS OFF Y2024 MATERNAL, NEWBORN, CHILD, ADOLESCENT HEALTH PLUS WEEK IN LAGOS

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, today officially flagged off the Y2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCAH+N) Week at the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area.

The MNCAH+N Week is an initiative dedicated to promoting the well-being and survival of women and children, emphasising the importance of practising good health-seeking behaviours.

Speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanwo-Olu explained that the MNCAH+N Week remains a symbolic event in Lagos State, serving as a reminder that good health practices are essential to longevity and that the survival of a child is closely tied to adequate nutrition.

"We are all aware that a baby’s survival is closely tied to adequate nutrition, which must begin at birth and continue with the introduction of complementary foods from six months until 2 years. After this period, the child will transition to adult meals", she said.

She disclosed that the week, scheduled to run from Monday, 12th August to Friday, 16th August 2024, offers an opportunity for caregivers to update all essential life-saving services that may have been missed for various reasons. She added that the week is targeted at reaching over five million children under the age of five with essential services, including Routine Immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, Deworming, Growth Monitoring, Malnutrition Screening, and the management of malnourished children, among others.

While reiterating the commitment of the present administration to reducing maternal and child mortality in the state, the wife of the Governor further noted that the State government has graciously declared free antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services for all pregnant women in state public hospitals.

She emphasised that the state government has zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence, adding that adolescents and youths in the state remain a priority during the week-long event.

She warned all perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence to desist from such acts before the law catches up with them. She also urged survivors of domestic violence in the state to use the toll-free line (08000-333-333) to report any incident for appropriate intervention.

"Let me reiterate that the State Government has zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence. I strongly advise perpetrators of these heinous acts to cease before the law catches up with them. Our adolescents and youths remain a priority during this week-long event, along with all survivors of sexual molestation and abuse by those who should be their protectors such as fathers, uncles, stepfathers, brothers, neighbours, and teachers", she said.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi restated the commitment of the present administration to attaining universal health coverage. She disclosed that during the last MNCAH+N Week, the state government was able to reach about 82% of children between the ages of six to 59 months with Vitamin A supplements, and about 74% of children between the ages of 12 to 59 months were dewormed.

Dr. Ogunyemi explained further that the Y2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Week is primarily targeted at creating more awareness about healthy living for mothers, preventing maternal and infant mortality, emphasising the importance of antenatal and postnatal care as well as educating women on proper family planning procedures.

"This is the Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Week. Basically, we just want to create more awareness about healthy living for our mothers. We are also trying to push mothers to realise the importance of antenatal care, family planning, and routine immunisation when they deliver their babies", she said.

Also, speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, stressed that the event, which is being flagged off in Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, is a state-wide programme that will extend beyond the week in the provision of sustainable healthcare delivery to residents.

Dr. Ogboye urged all women to take advantage of the medical intervention as quality healthcare delivery will be provided at the doorsteps of residents at no cost. He, however, stressed that the provision of sustainable healthcare delivery extends beyond the week-long event.

"My advice to everyone is to take advantage of the free services being offered this week, as it is a state-wide event. These services will continue in our health facilities and primary healthcare centres beyond the week," he said.

Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development, Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo commended the Lagos State Government's commitment to providing sustainable healthcare delivery in the state. He assured that the local council, which is at the grassroots level, will not relent in its efforts to support government policies.

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Patronize Govt healthcare facilities, Mrs. Ambode charges expectant mothers

AgegePulse Magazine

 Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has renewed her call on expectant mothers to patronize primary health centres and skilled birth attendants in the State, to reduce the incidence of maternal and infant mortality.

She gave the advice today at a town hall meeting on the reduction of maternal and child mortality organized by Lagos State Ministry of Health at Epe Local Government.

Mrs. Ambode blamed prevailing maternal mortality rate on the failure of expectant mothers to access obstetric services provided by the government.

 “Almost every minute, somewhere in a corner of the world, a woman dies as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman that dies, about 20 others survive but suffer from serious diseases, disability or physical damage, caused by complications. Majority of these maternal deaths are avoidable if expectant mothers access quality reproductive health care, including skilled attendance at birth,” she said.

“Non-use of essential obstetric services is a crucial factor that contributes to high maternal mortality. Some women refuse to access care when highly necessary either because of cultural practices or because decision-making is the responsibility of other family members”, she added.

Mrs. Ambode stressed that while the role of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) is acknowledged, it is important they know their limitations and ensure prompt referrals to Primary Health Care Centres.

She appealed to women of child-bearing age and pregnant women to avail themselves of the free services during the Child Health Week, taking place throughout this week, by visiting the nearest Primary Health facility closest to them.

The Governor’s wife, who urged women to pay attention to their nutrition during pregnancy, enlisted the support of families, religious and community groups to win the battle against the menace of infant and maternal mortality.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that it was important for TBAs to register with the State Government, adding that reports indicated that expectant mothers still patronize those TBAs that are not trained to handle unforeseen complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

The Commissioner said that the State Government had done so much in the area of primary health-care, as the Governor was very passionate about the health of the citizenry.

He enjoined everyone to come together at the end of the town hall meeting and resolve to do the right thing and save the lives of mothers during pregnancy and babies after childbirth, stressing that everyone has a role to play in this regard.

Delivering their goodwill messages, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon. Tasir Raji and Chairman, House Committee on Health in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, both noted that there was a strong link between the health and survival of a mother and that of her new-born.

Raji said it was imperative for the State Government to explore the possibility of registering the TBAs with a view to integrating them into the healthcare delivery system, as this according to him, would help build capacity to ease the burden in the health sector.

Olulade stressed that concerted efforts must be made to ensure that no woman in Lagos State loses her life during pregnancy or childbirth.

In attendance were top government functionaries, traditional rulers, the health family, Traditional Birth Attendants, and other stakeholders.