Abia State has launched the first round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week, aimed at reducing the high mortality rates among children under five years old.
The initiative, organized by the state Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Development Agency, and various partners, commenced in Umuahia.
During the opening ceremony in Umuahia, the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, emphasized the importance of nursing mothers and caregivers prioritizing preventive measures such as vitamin A supplements and de-worming to lower child mortality rates. Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu, Mrs. Otti lamented the increasing rates of preventable maternal and child mortality. She announced renewed strategies to provide nursing mothers and children under five with opportunities to improve their health.
She urged healthcare workers to update their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to offer effective leadership and technical support in healthcare services.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, highlighted that the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week aims to deliver an integrated package of cost-effective preventive and curative services to strengthen routine healthcare facilities.
Dr. Ulu Kalu, Executive Secretary of the Abia Primary Health Development Agency, outlined the week-long activities, including vitamin A supplementation, routine immunization for children under one, de-worming for children under five, nutritional status assessments, malaria treatment, and HIV testing services.
Representatives from health partners, Dr. Udochukwu Achonye of the World Health Organization and Dr. Ephraim Chukwu from UNICEF’s Enugu field office, commended the state government for the initiative. They encouraged mothers to embrace the program aimed at educating and reducing high maternal and child mortality rates in the state.
Nursing mothers present at the event, including Mrs. Chima Chinomso, Mrs. Amarachi Ahuchaogu, and Mrs. Precious Samuel, expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor and the health partners. They promised to take advantage of the initiative to improve their children’s health.
