…flags off 2022 Maternal, Newborn Child Week in Benin City
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu has flagged off the maternal newborn and child health week in Edo State.
Shaibu flagged off the exercise at the Primary Health Centre, Evbuotubu, Egor Local Government Area.
The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, MNCH, week – Phase 2 – is aimed at ‘deworming mid-upper arm circumference measurement to identify the malnutrition state of children and the administering of Vitamin A supplementation.
The package of MNCHW intervention involves antenatal care, immunization (Measles), and nutrition to improve the baby’s immune system and maintain their vision, growth and survival.
While speaking at the flag-off, Shaibu reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to prioritize Health Care, Infrastructure, and Social Development in the state.
He said that government intends to achieve and sustain a reduction in child morbidity and mortality due to vitamin A deficiency or malnutrition in every community and the local government areas in the State.
The Deputy Governor advised caregivers to be well informed so that all eligible children are available for the exercise both at the health centers and house outreach, saying that “all of us should become advocates for Vitamin A supplementation. So, join in the fight by ensuring our children participate at the deworming and vitamin A supplementation exercise”.
He commended the Edo State Ministry of Health and the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency for the adequate preparation and implementation of this year’s MNCHW exercise. The Deputy Governor urged them to give their best knowledge and ability by providing effective leadership and coordination for the campaign’s success.
The high point of the flag-off was when the Deputy Governor stated that all health centers in the state will be upgraded to the level where the Governor and other top government officials can come and receive treatment – this was greeted with applause by the crowd. He assured the agency that the old structure of the health center will be wearing a new look soon.
A symbolic immunization of children and the demonstration of proper hand washing technique was performed by the Deputy Governor to indicate the official flag off.