By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), on Tuesday, flagged off the year 2024 first round of Maternal New-Born and Children Health Week (MNCHW).

The exercise is aimed at reaching all The children under the age of 5 years with Routine Immunization (RI) vaccines, Vitamin A supplements, De-worming tablets, Screening for Malnutrition, HIV Counseling and Testing, Birth Registration, and promotion of other child protection services like hand washing, exclusive breastfeeding etc. Iron Folate and Multivitamins will also be given to pregnant Women.

In his remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in accordance with the 2010 National council on Health approval of Bi- annual MNCHw week, 21 rounds of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week have been implemented in Ondo State since the inception in 2010.

Governor Aiyedatiwa who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, reiterated that the MNCHW is a week long event organised to deliver an integrated package of preventive services known to be highly cost effective for improving Maternal bans Child Health survival.

“It is noteworthy to mention that, Ondo State is rated among the best performed With this result, states with 97% coverage in the May 2023 round of MNCHW, you will agree with me that, the present administration has impacted positively on Routine Immunization and other maternal newborn and child health services since its inception. These achievements indicate the strong commitment of our administration to Maternal and Child Health programmes in the state.

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Our committed human resources for health who have been given comprehensive training at the State and LGA levels are already in action for the success of the first round year 2024 MNCHW. Community awareness and mobilization are on-going throughout all the 18 LGAs through the social mobilization machineries, print and electronic media”.

He stressed that traditional, Religious, Government and Private sector, NGOs, CBOs and other developmental organizations have been carried along from the planning stage of the exercise.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment of the present administration to good health of the citizens the State and the building of an enviable Sunshine State, soliciting for support for the government to make the State health service delivery the best among other States of the federation.

He reminded all parents and caregivers to take their children and wards out for vaccination.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu stated that the MNCW week is done twice in a year since inception in 2010.

He stressed that vaccination is free and safe for children as it prevents them from diseases.

He added that the MNCHW started yesterday, 1st of July and would come to an end on the 5th of July, urging mothers to take their children of 0-59 months of age to the Public Health facilities and service points close to them.

In her goodwill message, representative of UNICEF, Mrs Cynthia Nwanchukwu, stated that UNICEF is dedicated to protecting women and children through their numerous programs.

She encouraged the mothers to spread the message to their community members and ensure that their children are vaccinated.

The event heald at Mother and Child Hospital, Akure, had in attendance; Special Adviser on health to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prof. Simidele Odunayo, religious leaders, traditional rulers, management staff of Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency.