By Agbonlahor Felicia
The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), VITAMINE ANGEL, amongst other partners has flagged off the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) to deliver significant health interventions to prevent childhood morbidity and mortality caused by malnutrition.
The ceremony which took place at the Evboutubu Primary Health Care Centre in Egor Local Government Area, on Monday, December 12, 2022, had in attendance stakeholders and government functionaries from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The ceremony was flagged off by the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.
In his remarks, Shaibu explained that the MNCHW is one of the strategic platforms to deliver significant health interventions for preventing consequences of children’s morbidity and mortality caused by malnutrition.
The Deputy Governor, therefore, urged members of the public to be advocates for Vitamin-A supplementation and de-worming exercise, as there would be a house-to-house administration of the supplement on eligible children.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, affirmed that this year’s Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week ( (MNCHW) would be focused on De-worming/Mid Upper Arm Circumference measurement (MUAC) to identify the malnutrition status of children and administering of Vitamin-A supplementation.
Dr. Izedonmwe noted that nutrition commodities for the program have been distributed across the 18 local government areas in the State, and urged that all hands should be on deck in ensuring that all eligible children between 6-59months benefit from the program.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Efemena Onowugbeda, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), said that other free services like family planning commodities, screening for HIV, and Blood Pressure checks would be available at various health centers for parents during the program.
Mrs. Sandra Osa-Ehigie, Director of Administration and General Services, who represented the Ag. Chairman Egor LGA, said that the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week is a child- survival effort for the development of future generations.
She added that a lot of resources have been put in place for the campaigns, and urged parents to make their children available for the exercise.
The event was rounded off with side attractions which included cultural dance while Santa Claus distributed gift items to the children that attended the event.
