How Governor Obiano flags off June 2015 Maternal and neo-natal week at Ifite-Ogwari

www.odogwublog.com reports that Governor Willie Obiano says his administration is working through the State Primary Healthcare Board
which it constituted earlier this year, to provide adequate medical facilities and qualified medical personnel in Health Centres in all communities in the state.

Governor Obiano stated this at the Primary Health Centre, Ifite-Ogwari in Ayamelum Council Area when he flagged off the June 2015 Maternal, Newborn and Child health week in the state.

 The week which was approved by the National Council on Health as a bi-annual event, is targeted at reducing the present unacceptable, but preventable maternal, neo-natal and Child Morbidity and Mortality towards the realization of the Health-related Millennium Development Goals.

 It usually features Health services such as routine immunization, provision of anti-malaria drugs, sensitization on polio Eradication, HIV/AIDs screening, prevention and care, key household practices of Exclusive Breast feeding, Oral Rehydration Therapy, ORT, hand washing, birth Control among others.

 The Governor accompanied by his wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano and other top state Government functionaries were received by local Government Authorities, Ifite-Ogwari Community Leaders and members with solidarity chants.

 Flagging off the event, Governor Obiano said effective primary Healthcare delivery constitutes a key aspect of his administration's Health initiative as the centres provide direct health service to the people especially at the grassroots.

 The Governor who commended the partners including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Abuja for their contribution towards the success of the programme, called on the people to make adequate use of the week to  access free medical services that will guarantee improved maternal and Child-health in the state.                    Governor Obiano who revealed that a Committee has been set up by his administration to understudy the poor girl-child enrollment in schools in the area and advise government on how best to motivate them to go to school, adding that due to their pre-dorminant occupation which is farming, the State Government will be siting more schools at the farms to encourage the children to acquire basic education.           


    
      He further noted that his administration has provided 6 water ambulances for Communities in the hinterlands and riverine areas which will have medical doctors and nurses attached to them to attend to emergencies, assuring that his government will continue sustain its interventions in the state health sector with a view to securing better health condition for Ndi Anambra.                          

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Josephat Akabuike explained that the local government was chosen for the flag-off in view of its vulnerability to maternal and child health-related diseases and the need to mobilize them to key into the programme to salvage the unpleasant health situation of the area.  

                     He stressed the need for the people to disabuse their minds from the prejudices that the disease-prevention drugs distributed during the programme have adverse health implications, emphasizing that they are free, safe and accessible

.                     In a goodwill message, a representative of the WHO, Dr Willy Onuorah commended the giant strides of the State Government in the area of improved maternal and child health and upgrade of health facilities across the State, describing the flag-off as a clear indication of the Governor's commitment towards ensuring that the people effectively partake in the programme.    

                            On his part, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ado Mohammed represented by Dr Chris Elemuwa said the Agency will sustain its efforts in galvanizing the support of international partners in assisting the State to reduce child and maternal mortality. 

            Performance by Izaga Masquerade, presentations by pupils of various schools in the council area as well as immunization of children by the Governor formed the highpoints of the Flag-off.