The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Cross River State Government have inaugurated an initiative to enhance childcare and family health services.
The programme, which hinges on Social and Behavioural Change (SBC), was launched at Akim Akim community in Odukpani Local Government Area, located within the southern senatorial district of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
Performing the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Mr Anthony Okon, commended the implementing partners, UNICEF, for standing firm to ensure the programme succeeds irrespective of funding challenges.
The permanent secretary, represented by the Programme Officer in the ministry, Mr Nakanda Iyadim, assured support for the initiatives aimed at achieving the desired goal, which is to promote positive social behaviour.
According to him, “the importance of SBC cannot be overemphasised. It is important that mothers, families, and communities as a whole support this Social Behavioural Change initiative to improve the health of children.
“This means from today onwards, we must take health programmes such as routine immunisation, antenatal care, birth registration, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding as key to the growth of our society,” he said.
In her speech, the representative of UNICEF, Blessing Ebere-Chukwu, emphasised the importance of community involvement, describing such involvement as crucial for the success of the SBC programme.
She urged stakeholders to actively take partake of the programme by promoting health-conscious behaviours.
Similarly, the Director, National Orientation Agency, Cross River State, Mr John Asanye, emphasised the significance of birth registration and owning a certificate, noting “every child should have a birth certificate and that was the reason we have an official of the National Population Commission here to facilitate birth registration.”
Asanye, represented by the deputy director, Juliana Atialikong, encouraged women to prioritise their health by attending antenatal care at the hospital.
In a remark, the community leader, Emmanuel Akpakpan, appreciated the Cross River State Government and UNICEF for selecting the community as a beneficiary of the programme.
He noted that the exercise has resulted in improved health and welfare of women and children, appealing for continued support for the community.
During a pep talk on complementary feeding, a representative of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Ogar Winifred, urged parents to ensure their children receive the Vitamin A supplement and uphold the hygiene breastfeeding habit.
The climax of the event was the presentation of awards and recognition to children with birth certificates and mothers who have the routine immunisation cards.
The SBC programme has already been rolled out in 10 selected communities and would soon be extended to other areas with sustainable improvements in family and child health.