EKITI FIRST LADY FLAGS OFF MATERNAL NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH WEEK FIRST ROUND
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has identified concerted efforts and collaboration by key stakeholders as critical to reducing infant mortality to the barest minimum in the Land of Honour.
Speaking on Monday while performing the flag off of the first round of 2024 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week, Dr. Oyebanji identified pneumonia, malaria, childbirth complications, diarrhoea, among others as the leading causes of infant mortality.
The First Lady who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye at the ceremony which was attended by nursing mothers and health officials said the week aimed at addressing the triggers of infant mortality and ensuring the safety of newborns and their mothers.
According to her, the celebration of the week would also create avenue for detecting ailments in pregnant women as well as ensure preventable and curative measures.
Dr. Oyebanji however expressed regret that over 13,000 deaths are being recorded each day globally arising from preventable ailments which she noted is an alarming figure that should be of concern to all and sundry.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, expressed the state government’s relentless efforts at providing all it requires for quality health among the people.
He therefore added that there would be improved sensitisation for the people and encouraging expectant mothers to always access primary health facilities in all the 177 wards across the state.
About 200 nursing mothers with their babies at the event were given vaccines and baby items including diapers for their convenience.