The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has flagged off Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in the state. It is one of the initiatives for reduction of illness and death among women, newborn and children in the country .
This is being organised by Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and Partners.
The one week long activity which was launched at Umueri Civic Centre, Anambra East Local Government Area is now optimized with the inclusion of COVID-19 vaccination for adults as it aims to improve livelihood as well as reduce morbidity and mortality rates of the people of the state.
Governor Soludo during the flag-off, urged pregnant women and caregivers to take advantage of the exercise and visit health facilities or hospitals close to them with their wards to reap the benefits of the programme.
The governor represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim assured the people that the government would see to the refurbishment of health facilities in their communities which would meet their needs in healthcare service delivery.
He educated the women on the importance of nutrition, eating balanced diet and nutritional supplements such as the Vitamin A supplementation in the growth and well-being of children.
He also enlightened the people on what to do in the envisaged flooding while encouraging them to move to holding camps before the incident occurs.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike emphasized on the need and importance of the MNCHW which offers various degrees of healthcare services for pregnant women and children less than five years of age.
He urged the pregnant women to always ensure that they visit the health facilities for antenatal care as it is very essential and of immense importance to both the mother and the unborn child.
He encouraged the community stakeholders to monitor the MNCHW activities in the villages to ensure that it is result oriented.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem explained that the general objective of the MNCHW was to strengthen the delivery and utilization of health services using health facilities, and outreach/temporary sites in the State.
This is with the specific objectives of increasing access/utilization of essential and life-saving interventions, strengthening routine system through updated knowledge and skills of health workers for service delivery and improved health management information system.
”Also, to improve healthy household practices through improved health care seeking behaviour of caregivers whilst ensuring every child and pregnant mother is reached with the high impact interventions from June 27th to Sunday July 2nd, 2023.”
Pharm Uchem noted that the exercise would involve; Vitamin A supplementation, Nutrition Screening, De-worming, Vaccination, Counseling on appropriate infant feeding practices, MUAC screening for cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Ante Natal Care.
Others are; Health education on Key Household Practices (KHHP), appropriate hand washing, birth registration, HIV screening/testing and Family Planning.
The Chief of Nutrition Section, UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Nemat Hajeebhoy said the MNCHW was very important as it recognizes the right of other parties such as the government, town leaders and development partners.
”The week is also important because during the week we recognise that mothers need to be supported in their role as mothers and nutrition upheld. We also recognise the role of children and importance of their health and our role in looking after their health.’’
She noted that as a body, UNICEF is committed to supporting the Government in delivering solutions whilst urging the people to take advantage of the exercise and get solutions to their Nutrition.
The Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Izuchukwu Emeka who hosted the ceremony expressed gratitude to the State Government, Health Commissioner, ASPHCDA Boss, the Local Government Area, LGA ,Chairman and Partners for their works, initiatives, and their leadership contributions in the state.
The LGA Chairman, Mr. Anselem Onuorah, assured that the LGA would ensure that maximum cooperation and support was given to health workers who would be visiting various wards, centres and schools to carry out the MNCHW exercise.
He noted that the event was important to them as they would not want to lose their women, newborn nor children who would be better by accessing the interventions the week would provide.
The event which featured cultural dance display also had nutritional and educational health talks from the State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Uzoamaka Eriken and the State Breastfeeding Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Onoh.
However, it is noteworthy that Maternal Newborn Child Health Week is a biannual event. The Week aims to deliver a package of basic interventions that are highly effective in reducing child mortality and improving mother and child health.
Olusola Akintonde
