LASG HOLDS MATERNAL, NEWBORN HEALTH WEEK
…… Intensifies efforts to improve maternal health indices
Lagos State government is set to reduce Child Morbidity and Mortality as it marks the 2019 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week which is geared towards the provision of health interventions surrounding maternal, newborn and child health care in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Titilayo Goncalves made this known at a press conference held today at the Ministry, stating that the government remains committed to providing interventions surrounding maternal, newborn and child health in the State as maternal, peri-natal and child health is one of the most important issues determining global and national wellbeing.
Dr. Goncalves stated further 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 in the State.
She disclosed that Lagos State has embarked on integration of low cost, high impact services and packages across reproductive, maternal, new born and child health due to the great potential of creating an effective and sustainable health care delivery for women and children.
“Lagos State has embarked on integration of low cost, high impact services and packages across the reproductive, maternal, new born and child health (RMNCH) continuum with this having the great potential of promoting access and improving outcomes for women and children”, she said.
She stated further that programmes such as Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction, Family Planning services, prevention and management of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis as well as nutrition services are also being integrated and implemented within the primary health care framework alongside training of health workers.
The programme. she said, will also improve on community outreach programs with a view to promoting adequate health access and improved outcomes for women and children in the State.
Goncalves implored Lagosians especially caregivers to take advantage of this year’s Maternal, New born and Child Health (MNCH) Week which is scheduled to hold from Monday, 15th to Saturday, 19th July 2019 by taking their under-five children to any of the Primary Healthcare Centres nearest to them to access the various health services which include routine immunization; Vitamin A supplementation; growth monitoring and promotion, screening for malnutrition and appropriate counselling/referral; distribution of deworming medicine, amongst others.
While revealing that Maternal Health Booklets, comprehensive health-promoting, home-based booklets which provide information on birth planning, pregnancy-related health check-up schedules, emergency care, delivery information and postnatal care will also be made available for mothers, the Permanent Secretary advised mothers and caregivers to continue to avail themselves of these preventive, promotive and protective health services even after the celebration of the week so that maternal and child morbidity and mortality can be collectively reduced.
She admonished all Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to ensure they are duly registered, avail themselves with danger signs in pregnancy and newborn babies as well as continue to refer patients early enough in order to save lives, urging members of the public, especially women, to notify the authorities of any unregistered quacks and charlatans in their neighbourhood.
