The wife of Ondo state Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has commended efforts of the wives of the 18 chairmen of local government areas of the state for better healthcare services at the grassroots in the state.
Mrs Akeredolu made the commendation on Monday at flag-off ceremony of First Round of 2018 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week( MNCHW) in Akure.
” I commend the unquantifiable contributions of the wives of the 18 chairmen of local government areas with women leaders.
“And market women, traditional and religious leaders, transport unions leaders and numerous NGOs to the community mobilisation towards healthcare services at the grassroots.
” Your collective efforts have no doubt encouraged women and children to embrace child survival, protection and development programmes at the community level,” she said.
She also applauded frontline health workers across the state for being faithful implementers of the healthcare delivery mandate of the administration.
According to her, June round of 2018 edition of MNCHW, starting from 10th to 14th would fortify mothers and give major boost to health status of children.
Also Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the state Commissioner for Health, noted that sum of N25 million was released by the state government for the campaign.
Adegbenro said that MNCHW was a week long event organised to deliver an integrated package of routine immunization services, Vitamin A supplement, deworming tablets and others.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at reaching all children under the age of 5 years as well as pregnant women.
He recalled that last round of November 2017 MNCHW was very successful with great impacts.
The commissioner appreciated the state governor, Gov. Rotimi, Akeredolu. for building the future generation of the state, enjoining parents and guardians to allow their children and wards to benefit at designated health facility.
Adegbenro said that committed health workers had been trained at state and local government levels, adding that community awareness and mobilization was ongoing to inform all concerned.
In his goodwill message, Mr Tunde Ayoade, UNICEF representative, said that it was note-worthy that the present administration in the state was committed to healthcare of mothers and children.
Ayade, who spoke on behalf of other partner agencies such as WHO and NPHCDA, said that the agencies were happy working together in the state to address health issues of mothers and children.
He tasked parents and guardians in the state to make their children and wards available for the exercise, assuring the state government of continued total commitment to healthcare of mothers and children.
Giving vote of thanks, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, the Executive Secretary of Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Board, thanked the governor’s wife for her passion in rescuing children and pregnant women from preventable diseases.
