Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to reducing Maternal and Child Mortality indices as it commences 2019 Maternal and Child Health Week geared towards the provision of health interventions surrounding maternal, newborn and child healthcare.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, while briefing the press on the modalities of the Maternal and Child Health Week at Ikeja, stated that the present administration is committed to providing interventions surrounding maternal, newborn and child health in the State as, according to him, “Maternal, peri-natal and child health are the most important issues determining global and national wellbeing”.
Prof. Abayomi, who stated that the Maternal and Child Health week will be officially flagged off by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-olu on the 25th of November, 2019, stressed that the government has put in place various measures to ensure an effective healthcare system to tackle the twin issue of maternal and child mortality among Lagosians.
He added that the government is targeting over 5000 mothers and children in the community and has completed the procurement of all needed materials which have also been distributed to all local government areas.
“We have a target to reach out to over 5000 mothers and children in the State and we have completed the procurement and distribution of materials at the local government and ward levels. We will also visit schools, market places so that we can reach as many women and children as possible”, he said.
Abayomi stated further that 150 centres have been designated to support the already existing health facilities and 752 mobile teams deployed to ensure that medical services get to the nooks and crannies of the State, urging members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity to access free medical services.
“To ensure effective implementation of this outreach programme, we have 150 designated centres to support our existing health facilities. We have also put in place 752 mobile teams to visit schools and market places in the community so that we can easily get to the nooks and crannies of the State”, Abayomi said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, who also spoke during the briefing, implored mothers and caregivers to continue to avail themselves of preventive and protective health services, even after the commemoration of the week, so that maternal and child morbidity and mortality can be collectively reduced.
He charged parents to support the State government’s drive to reduce maternal and child deaths by patronising only accredited health facilities and participating in all child-survival interventions and programmes carried out by the government.
The Permanent Secretary also advised expectant mothers to visit health facilities early enough to detect any complications.
