KOGI FLAGS OFF ITS FIRST ROUND OF OPTIMISED MATERNAL NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH (OMNCH) WEEK – BY GLORIA AMODU

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Kogi State Ministry of Health in Collaboration with Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has flagged off its first round of the Optimised Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week 2023 in the State.

The campaign with a goal “to contribute towards the reduction of Material newborn and child mortality and improve health” was flagged off in Lokoja, the State Capital.

Flagging off, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello reiterated his commitment to effective health care services in the State.

The Governor who was represented by the Kogi State Head of Service Mrs. Hannah Odiyo Stated his administration has invested so much in the health sector to bring healthcare services closer and more affordable to the people, especially Women and Children.

At the flag-off, he said, he was going to reduce maternal newborn, and child mortality rates and improve healthcare delivery in the state.

He noted that the renovation of Primary Healthcare Centers across the State, and the construction of six gigantic hospitals in the secondary health sector like the Reference Hospital in Okene would improve quality healthcare delivery in the State.

According to him, the Three Hundred Bed Space Reference Hospital, with the state of the art equipment, MRI Machines, and CT Scans are masterpieces that would provide specialist care to the people of the State and Nigeria at large, saying that it would reduce medical tourism of Nigerians abroad.

His Excellency Alhaja Yahaya Bello the Executive Governor of Kogi State flagged off the campaign by administering vitamin A supplements to children between 6 – 59 months and also pluses to the mothers.

In his address, the State Commissioner for Health Dr. Zakari Usman, described the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a health-friendly Governor who has brought smiles to the faces of the people through his health care programs.

According to him, the Health Sector is experiencing a total turnaround under the GYB’S Administration, pointing out that the Governor has left no stone turned in health care service delivery.

Dr. Zakari noted that the achievement the Governor has made in the health sector, are testimonials of his commitment to the well-being of the people, praying that God would continue to lead him in his service to the State.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Abubakar Yakubu, said that the campaign would safeguard the future of the children saying that the OMNCH week campaign was to ensure that all eligible children under one year receive the RI antigens as per RI schedule, to ensure all pregnant women receive the TD vaccine as scheduled, to administer vitamin A supplement to children between the ages of 6- 59 months and other health care services.

Dr. Yakubu said that the optimized maternal, newborn, and child health week is a Bi-annual event saying that mothers should take advantage of the week to take routine immunization and other health care services.

He expressed his gratitude to the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his support and commitment to efficient and accessible healthcare service and all the developmental partners for their contribution towards OMNCH week.

In their goodwill messages, the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), Malaria Consortium, Kogi State, Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, Kogi State (ANRiN), and other partners expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development agency for coming up with the program, hoping that it would improve the lives of the people, especially mother, and children.

Also in attendance were the Honorable Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Fatima Kabir Buba, The Ohiegba of Mozum, HRH, King Khalid Ali Bukar II, The State Project Manager, Malaria Consortium Kogi State, Mr. Keneth Maduka, The Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria ( ANRIN) Kogi State Chapter Mr. Bolarinwa Oladele, State Technical Facilitator Lead Team of Independent Monitor UNICEF Mr. Odo Chukwnemika, Religious Leaders, Pregnant Women and breastfeeding mothers with their babies.

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