Enugu Governor Laments High Maternal And Infant Mortality Rate In Nigeria

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has expressed dissatisfaction with the worrisome statistical fact of high maternal and infant mortality rate in the  country even when their causes are preventable.

The governor spoke on the occasion of the state flag-off of the 2015 First round of the Maternal Newborn and Child health (MNCH) week and re-launch of the State Free Maternal and Child health in Enugu at ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu.

He noted that the event coming one month after he took oath of office as governor of the state underscored his administration’s firm commitment to the improvement of quality health care service delivery in the state.  He added that the event also explained the determination of the administration to fulfill “our promise to the people especially as it relates to health care exercises that will endanger preventive measures aimed at maternal and child healthcare.

He observed that the Free Maternal Child care programme initiated by the state government and implemented in partnership with the local government areas in the state is one of the laudable components of reducing maternal and infant mortality rate in the state.

He used the medium to commend health workers in the state for their diligent in their duties, urging them to redouble their efforts as service is humanitarian gesture.

The governor enumerated some present interventionist programmes slated for this year’s event, as routine immunization services, de-worming, screening for malnutrition and anti-Natal care for pregnant women.

Others are messages on a key household care practices and birth registration by the National Population Commission among others.

The governor used the opportunity of the programme to implore mothers and care-givers to avail themselves of these interventions provided by government to actualize service delivery.

Earlier in a key note address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of health, Enugu, Dr. Moses Otiji noted that the main goal of the programme was for the improvement of the health status of women and children by increasing coverage of key maternal newborn and child interventions.

He recalled that the Free Maternal and Child healthcare programme, being re-launched was  initially launched on 17^th December 2007 to serve as intervention strategy of the state government to carter for pregnant women and children below 5 years of age who are resident in the state, irrespective of state of origin.

He added that the goal of Free Maternal and Child Healthcare programme is also to remove the burden of payment of hospital fees from the vulnerable group, women and children thereby increasing access to maternal morality and child care services.

The Permanent Secretary appealed to Governor Ugwuanyi to upgrade the three District Hospitals in the state to Specialist Hospitals.  According to Doctor Otiji, the State Health Management in a consensus opinion wishes that Enugu North Senatorial zone without a specialist, secondary or tertiary health institution be selected first on pilot basis of the upgrading.  He added that the State School of Nursing and Midwifery should be attached to the specialist hospital as the state does not have a school of Nursing of its own.

He also appealed to the governor to further strengthen the services of the Enugu State Medical Emergency Response Team (ESMERT) services to cover areas not yet covered, especially in the Northern axis of the state among others.

The Permanent Secretary on behalf of the staff of the Ministry congratulates the governor as he marks his first 30 days in office having been successful inaugurated on 29^th May, 2015.

-end-

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