GOV. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has urged pregnant women in the state to take advantage of the ongoing health week and bring their children under zero to five years for immunisation.
Abdulrazaq made the call on Monday in Ilorin as the First Round of the 2019 Maternal, Newborn and Children Health Week got underway.
The governor, represented by his wife, Olufolake, said the exercise was imperative due to the need to be more aggressive in the fight against maternal and early childhood diseases.
According to him, mothers and babies die every year during childbirth as Nigeria’s mortality ratio is still high.
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He urged mothers and caregivers to do all they could to ensure complete vaccination of children through routine immunisation services in all health facilities in the state.
“It is a rather sad fact that most of the maternal, child deaths and morbidity are avoidable if preventive measures are taken and adequate care is available.
“The health week is to increase sensitisation about taking ownership of one’s health and utilising healthcare services.
“Women of childbearing age and children under five years old represent over 42 per cent of the state’s total population,’’ he said.
He reiterated the resolve of the state government to partner international agencies such as UNICEF, World Health Organisation and other stakeholders to achieve national and international goals instrumental in the fulfilment of children’s right and reducing child and maternal mortality rate.
Also speaking, Mrs Rhoda Ajiboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, said various life-saving intervention programmes would be on offer during the health week.
These, she said, included routine antenatal care services, routine immunisation, deworming of children and provision of Vitamin A supplements.
The Director of Personnel Management in Ilorin South Local Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Shaba, urged health personnel involved in the health week to ensure effective and adequate coverage of the targeted areas.
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