‘Ekiti Committed to Reduction of Infant Mortality’

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has promised that no efforts would be spared in providing effective health interventions to reduce the infant mortality rate and boost the care of babies in the state.

She said the state government also attached importance to measures aimed at ensuring that women of childbearing age and their babies benefit from adequate healthcare delivery in every part of the state.

Dr. Oyebanji gave the assurance at the flag-off ceremony of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in the state, which was organised by the state Primary Health Care Development Agency in conjunction with Ekiti State Committee on Food and Nutrition.

She explained that the state government’s efforts were clearly demonstrated in the priority given to the health sector by equipping various hospitals and health centres, and in the implementation of qualitative programmes across the state.

The first lady, noted that the programme, which is bi-annual, would commence on July 28 to August 1 this year in all government health facilities and designated places across all local government areas.

According to her, “During the exercise, deworming tablets and vitamin supplements will be administered on children between the ages of 6 months and 59 months.

“Pregnant women will have access to HIV screening, medicinal items, and other health care commodities. All these interventions are free, safe and effective.”

Oyebanji, therefore, advised caregivers and mothers to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in ensuring that their wards and children benefit from the intervention.

Also, in his address, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, encouraged parents to give priority to the nutrition of the children in order to aid their growth, wellbeing and make them to contribute meaningfully to society.

Filani added: “It is not enough that babies should grow, they have to be healthy and well-fed. Nutrition is important; it improves the brain capacity of babies and aids their overall growth.”

In her goodwill message at the event, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, represented by a Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayemi Kayode-Ojo, called on stakeholders, including royal fathers, council chairmen, and civil society groups among others, to sensitise all concerned individuals to participate in the programme.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr. Olusesan Alabi, explained that the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week was a demonstration of the commitment of the state government to improve maternal and infant health in the state.

Alabi, who also doubles as the chairman of the state Committee on Nutrition, described access to adequate nutrition as the building block to a healthy life, saying the week was also a bold statement to tackle malnutrition and stunting among children in the state.