The Ogun State Government has kicked off the first round of the 2024 Optimized Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (OMNCHW) as part of its “continuous efforts to improve maternal and child health in the state and its environs.”
The initiative aims to provide beneficiaries with access to prenatal care, as well as improve early detection and treatment of childhood diseases and strengthen routine immunization and nutrition services, among others.
Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, unveiled the programme in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state on Friday.
She explained that the intervention was designed to provide essential health services to pregnant women and children.
Some of the free health services that will be provided during the programme include routine immunisation, malnutrition screening, birth registration and administration of tetanus and diphtheria vaccines to pregnant women.
Other services include vitamin A supplementation and the provision of free advice and health education on key household practices, among others.
Ms Coker, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Kayode Oladehinde, while speaking on the essence of the initiative, said it was a testament to the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare service delivery at the grassroots level.
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To further strengthen the Government's commitment, he highlighted the renovation and equipping of the State Primary Health Centre and the hiring of staff, the training and retraining of qualified health personnel and the supply of quality medicines.
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“This programme is targeted at mothers and children to improve their well-being. The Dapo Abiodun-led administration wants to ensure that no woman dies in the process of giving birth, nor does any child die from preventable diseases,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Board, Elijah Ogunsola, urged parents, caregivers and guardians to afford their children and wards between the ages of 0-5 years the privilege of the programme.
The Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Olusegun Ogunleye, represented by his Vice Chairman, Bolanle Fakoya, commended the efforts of the state government and development partners in prioritising the health of mothers and children.