The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo has urged pregnant women and caregivers to take advantage of the exercise and visit health facilities/hospitals close to them with their wards to reap the benefits of the programme.
The governor represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, 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 a balanced diet and nutritional supplements such as 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 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week, one of the initiatives for the reduction of illness/death among women, newborns and children in the country has been flagged off 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 flag-off was held 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.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike emphasized the need and importance of the oMNCHW which offers various degrees of healthcare services for pregnant women and children less than five years of age.
He urged 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 oMNCHW activities in the villages to ensure that it is result oriented.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, 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 systems through updated knowledge and skills of health workers for service delivery and improving health management information systems.
“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.”
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 the Nutrition Section, UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy said the oMNCHW 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 the 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 exercise and get solutions to their Nutrition.
The Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Beneth Izuchukwu Emeka who hosted the ceremony expressed gratitude to the State Government, Health Commissioner, ASPHCDA Boss, the 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 oMNCHW exercise.
He noted that the event was important to them as they would not want to lose their women, newborns, or children who would be better by accessing the interventions the week would provide.
The event which featured a 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.
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