NIGER GOVERNOR'S WIFE FLAGS OFF SECOND ROUND NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2020 MATERNAL NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH WEEK (MNCHW) 15th/02/2021

The revolution and unprecedented successes that is ongoing in health sector of Niger State can not be over emphasized. Today the 15th February 2021 witnessed another milestone event as Hajiya Dr. Amina Sani Bello, the wife of the executive governor of Niger State flag off the second round of 2020 MATERNAL NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH WEEK at Barikin Sale PPFN PHC facility. 

The first lady stated that the objectives of the related outcomes of the maternal new born and child health week are relevant and consistent with the priorities of Nigeria. She encouraged women that have a child or children between the ages of zero and five (0-5) years to come out to immunize their babies and access the essential services provided for them.

The first lady as a professional medical practitioner, emphasized on the need and importance of immunization. She further pleaded with the nursing mothers to return after today's event and complete the immunization of their children.

Finally, she admonished her audience on the danger of COVID-19 and emphasized more on the need to strictly, adhere to  all COVID-19 protocols especially, wearing of face mask.

The Hon. commissioner of health, Dr. Muhammad Muhammad Makusidi said mothers are encouraged to participate in this maternal and child health week event which is full with package of interventions and vaccinations against all the preventable diseases affecting children.

The commissioner expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to the wife of the governor who he said double as as a medical practioner in women health specialty for her constant support towards improvement and development of health care service delivery in Niger State. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Director Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA),

Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana said the maternal new born and child health week was organized to deliver an integrated package of highly cost effective of maternal and child health services and interventions. He reiterated that today is just flagging off event which only signifies the beginning of the program. He said the program is not a one day event but continuous days of events to sensitise women and care givers about the importance of maternal and child health week in order, to let them know what NSPHCDA is doing towards improvement of health services delivery.

Thereafter, he encouraged women to wake up to their responsibility by continuously demanding for an increase essential services and intervention packages that are made available for them. He then, assured his guest that the essential services and intervention package will reach every nooks and crannies in the state.

He forther said, the intervention package provided for maternal and child health week amongst others includes: Vitamin A supplementation, routine immunization, deworming tablets, screening for malnutrition provitionof  long lasting insecticide treated nets key house hold practices (KHHP) .

The maternal new born and child health week is a biannual event designed to deliver a package of basic interventions that are highly effective in reducing child mortality and improvement of mother and child health. It was introduced as a priority and strategic action to accelerate the reduction of child mortality and improvement of maternal health. It was majorly intended to improve access to essential and quality maternal and child services consistently, with the objectives of the 2007 integrated maternal and child health strategy of Nigeria.

The week's intervention complements routine health services by ensuring that basic health care, reaches all mothers and children.

The first lady at the close of speeches, was taken round by Hajiya Asmau Abubakar who is the State Nutrition Officer (SNO) to inspect nutrition table set to educate and encourage pregnant women and care givers on the need to identify local food items around them and the ways of combining them to take care of their nultrition.

Finally, the first lady administered immunization vaccine to Muhammad Adam a three year old child and equally, gave Mallama Sadiya Umar, a pregnant woman, folic acid, SP tablet and long lasting insecticide treated mosquito net to mark the biginning of the week events.

In his good will message, the chairman of Chanchaga LGA who was unavoidably absent due to another meeting he was engaged on with the governor, was ably represented by Hajiya Fati Garba, the Director PHC, Chanchaga LGA

who tender the apology of the chairman and listed the items that the chairman supported the event with. These items amongst others includes: Mega phone, dozens of hand towel, dozens of scissors, spoons and face masks.

Finally, the Dagachi representing Minna South West

in his vote of thanks he appreciated the first lady, the commissioner, perm sec, ED NSPHCDA, partner and the entire people present at the event. He singled out the first lady, prayed for her and requested that as a mother, she should assist in expanding the PPFN PHC facility because, it is too small to accommodate the teaming mothers of the area that usually, visit the facility on daily basis. Further more, he requested for an ambulance and adequate security in all the five (5) facilities in his Minna South West. Thereafter, he wish the fist lady and the entire people that attended the event a safe return trip back to their destinations.

Ibrahim Ahmad Zuruk

SMO/PRO

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