July 10, 2023.
The Borno State Government in partnership with Alive & Thrive (Fhi360), has flagged off the campaign on maternal and child healthcare week in the state.
Other health partners for the Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare (MNCH) week, included the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners operating in the Northeast.
While flagging off the child healthcare week, yesterday, (Monday), in Maiduguri, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mohammed Ghuluze, disclosed: “The five-day healthcare intervention campaign, was to deliver an integrated package of highly cost-effective MNCH services in 26 Local Government Areas.”
According to him, the distribution of maternal kits to thousands of women at 488 health centres and other sites, was to improve the living conditions of under-age children.
Speaking on the life-saving measures, he said that; there will be deworming of children with the distribution of vitamin A supplements with nutritional screening and maternal nutrition.
Besides, he added that there would be a complementary service in antenatal care; as well as health promotion benefits.
“Our interventions in the health sector; are likely to create impacts by raising the coverage levels of core preventive and curative interventions,” he said.
He noted that this will improve the health of mothers and their children.
He stated that this is; in line with Governor Babagana Zulum’s vision in transforming the health sector for effective healthcare delivery to the people.
“The reduction in child mortality with improved maternal health was to achieve the 4th and 5th United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” he said.
The Executive Director, Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), Prof. Mohammed Arab, commended the development partners, particularly UNICEF, Fhi360, World Health Organisation (WHO) and traditional rulers for their support in the health sector.
He said that vitamin A supplements alone has significant benefits in reducing under-five mortality rate by 34 per cent.
“It provides offers protection to children from various diseases including measles, malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia,” he said, adding that deworming has an added advantage of reducing other infections.
The State Coordinator of Fhi360, Dr. Bashaar Abdul-Baki, said that his organization will continue support the State to ensure optimal quality of healthcare coverage across the state.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, represented by the District Head of Damboa, Zanna Lawan Maina urged women and parents to always avail themselves for various healthcare delivery services provided by government and other partners.
End.
