Gombe State Government flags Off First Round of Maternal New Born Child Health Week.
By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar.
The Gombe State Government has flagged off the First Round of Maternal New Born Child Health Week (MNCH) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention ( SMG) to consolidate the routine Primary Health Care Services towards reducing maternal, infant and child mortality in the state.
Speaking during the flagging off, Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, who is also the Chairman of the Taskforce on Routine Immunization in the state underscored the importance of health in every aspect of human endeavours.
The Program is organized by the State Ministry of Health in conjunction with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and was flagged off at Primary Health Care Centre, Lalaipido in Shongom Local Government Area.
The Deputy Governor said during the Maternal New Born Child Health Week, MNCH, the state will also conduct seasonal malaria chemoprevention, considering that the rainy season is a period when malaria parasites breed because of bushes and stagnant water in the environment.
He re-assured the people of the state of Government’s commitment to improving their well-being, especially women and children under five years, calling on Traditional and Religious Leaders across the state to put their best to support this administration’s crusade in the fight against all diseases that constitute health challenges in the state.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mal. Danladi Adamu informed the gathering that, Maternal New Born Child Health Week is the commencement of the delivery of an integrated package of cost-effective interventions primarily to be delivered to strengthen the routine Primary Health Care services where pregnant women, mothers and children aged 0-59 months are the main beneficiaries.
He said the state government in partnership with the federal Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Elimination Program( NMEP) with support from the Global Fund Malaria Grant, and other stakeholders in the fight against malaria has intensified efforts in drastically reducing the prevalence of malaria by targeting children from 3-59 months by the administration of the seasonal malaria Chemoprevention using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus Amodiaquine.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary, of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahaman Shuaibu informed the gathering that during the weeklong activity, a total number of over 800,000 children between the ages of 3-59 months will benefit from free anti-malarial drugs while about 200,000 pregnant women will benefit from other life-saving interventions.
He appreciated Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, his Deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders and health workers for making the program a reality and a huge success.
Highlights of the event include the administration of supplements, inspection of the health centre and cultural display among others.
