Health: Lagos Launches M.I.CH Plus Toll-Free Numbers | AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Civic Engagement, has launched toll-free numbers: 0800-6424-758 and 0901-5520-00 for 1,140 indigent pregnant women participating in the ongoing Mother, Infant and Child (M.I.C.H) pilot research programme.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale revealed the numbers at a sensitisation programme on the second phase of the M.I.C.H pilot phase for the beneficiaries at Agege Local Government and Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area.

She explained that the toll-free lines are essential to ensure that the programme is impactful, as the lines would help the participating pregnant women receive qualitative healthcare and follow-up through phone calls and home visits by a dedicated team of the Public and State-approved Private Community Health Workers and Medical Consultants.

“The research phase of the M.I.C.H programme was designed to assess the impact of the programme nutritious food and supplements on pregnant women with full monitoring of their existing conditions, along with the diverse medical and social indices, starting from December 1, 2020, until the next six months, throughout pregnancy till delivery and post-partum”, she noted.

Princess Adebowale stated that each of the beneficiaries would be added to a social media chat group created in each Local Government Area for direct feedback as part of the monitoring and evaluation process of the Office of Civic Engagement.

According to her “The participants in the control group would be given M.I.C.H plus food packs and supplements weekly for a period of three months before delivery, starting from the commencement date of the research project”.

While urging every participant to attend the clinic regularly and cooperate with the government’s team of medical experts, research and care volunteers at every stage of the process, the Special Adviser expressed gratitude to the Medical Team of Agege Local Government and Orile Agege LCDA for their cooperation.

The research programme, which started on December 1, 2020, for 1,140 indigent pregnant women, had the second batch of participating pregnant women sign the attestation forms to confirm their participation in the three-month research exercise.

The 20 expectant mothers in the control groups drawn from Sango Primary Health Centre, Agege Local Government and Odumbaku Primary Health Centre, Orile-Agege LCDA are the second set of participating expectant mothers to sign relevant documents for the research study.

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.