Lagos to Intensify Efforts in Reducing Maternal, Child Mortality

Martins Ifijeh
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its resolve to continue with the implementation of activities and strategies geared towards the reduction of mortality rate in the state through its Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programme, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga has said.

Onanuga who made this known at a news briefing to signal commencement of activities for the implementation of the first round of year 2016 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCH) celebration in Lagos, noted that the state government will not relent on its oars at ensuring that preventive measures against maternal and child deaths were embraced and adequate care for maternal and child health were available.

According to him, maternal, perinatal and under five year health indices have emerged as the most important health indices that determine global and national wellbeing, adding that the 2013 National Demographic Survey, which was the national indices for neonatal, infant, under five children and mothers were far from cheering.

Onanuga added that the 2013 national Maternal Mortality Rates of 576/100,000 live births compared with the 2010 data of 545/100,000 live births is an indication that everyone has to step up.“It is for this reason that I fully lend my voice and support to the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Strategy adopted in Nigeria as a panacea to frontally tackle the twin issue of maternal and child mortality,” Onanuga said.

Speaking on the state of preparedness of the state government to implement the first round of year 2016 MNCH Week which started earlier in the week and slated to end tomorrow, Friday 17th June, the Special Adviser explained that a wide range of high-impact and low-cost package of protective, preventive and promotive services have been provided to the whole family during the exercise.

He explained that all the implementers of the MNCH week have been well equipped by trainers drawn from the State Ministry of Health, United Nations and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency; and are ready to provide all these services mentioned.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Health, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Local Government Executive Secretaries, the State Social Mobilization Committee, UNICEF, Vitamin Angels, Save-The-Children International, WHO, JICA, Hypo Hygiene Products and Tomi’s Treats Limited to all child survival programmes in the state.