Maternal newborn and child health week flags off in Bauchi State
By Mubarak Aliyu Kobi
Bauchi state government has flagged-off the 2023 first round of Maternal newborn and child health week with call on mothers to support Government effort of achieving a universal health coverage in the state.
The ceremony which was staged at the New Gida dubu primary healthcare center of Bauchi Local government area was witnessed by the state First lady, commissioner for health, donor partners as well as Mothers and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the occasion the state first lady Hajiya Aisha bala Mohammed said Maternal Newborn and Child Health week is a bi-annual event to accelerate actions for promoting and substantially contribute to improving Maternal, New born and Child Health indicators in the state.
Adding that The interventions during the week long activity will be given freely to mothers and children under-fives, which according to her is perhaps another critical step in reducing high rate of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in the state.
Represented by the state Commissioner of Health Dr. Sabiu Abdu Gwalabe called on parents to support the effort of the present administration in the MCHW by accessing the services provided during the week long activity.
Also speaking the permanent secretary state Ministry of health Alh. Ali Babayo Gamawa who represented the commissioner for health at the occasion said According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2018), Nigeria has the second highest burden of maternal mortality in the world and contributes to approximately 15 per cent of the annual total of global maternal deaths and Most of the maternal deaths are caused by haemorrhage, infection, toxemia, anaemia, obstructed labour, malaria and unsafe abortions.
The commissioner added that MNCH week started in March 2010, when the Federal Government through National Council on Health adopted the bi-annual implementation of the MNCHW week.
Abdu Gwalabe disclose that It was expected to improve facility based health seeking behaviour of the people, high impact, cost effective lifesaving interventions and services delivery to pregnant women and under 5 children at primary health facilities.
He explained that The intervention will be provided in two Health Facilities per ward totalling 646 HF across the state and 1,292 health care workers will be engaged at the facility to deliver the services. Saying the target for this year is One million Four hundred and Eighty Six thousand and Seventy (1,486,070) Children from 6-59months for Vitamin A. One Million Three Hundred and Twenty thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty One (1,320,951) Children aged of 12 – 59 months for Deworming Medication, Nutrition services Immunization among others. Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Nine (412,797) Pregnant women are also targeted to receive iron folate and ANC services.
In their goodwill massages Donor partners including UNICEF, Breakthrough Action Nigeria as well as IHP 360 both appreciate the good working atmosphere provided by the state government and promised more intervention to the people of the state.
Some mothers who spoke with Albarka radio during the occasion appreciate the effort of the state government in areas of Maternal newborn and child health and vowed to access the services.
