Dame Okowa who flagged off the occasion at Ogwashi Uku, as presented by the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with partners, was ably represented by the wife of the Aniocha South Local Government Council chairman, Mrs. Ifeoma Anwuzia.
She stated that the Maternal and Newborn Child Health had greater potential leverage for progress noting that the MNCHW was one of the eight strategies identified in the 2008-2011 national plan on Maternal, Neonatal, Child/ Women's Health and nutrition for improving the health of women and children.
"The campaign known as Maternal Newborn Child Health Week is undertaken twice annually by the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, to improve access and the quality of Maternal and child health services in Delta state.
During the week of the national campaign, an estimated 1.1 million children would be targeted with Vitamin-A supplementation and de-worming tablets to prevent worm infestation, polio, among others".
While commending the 'resilience' of the Health workers and partners, the governor's wife disclosed that the state government had embarked on renovation, revamping and equipping of Health facilities in phases across the 25 LGAs of the state.
Also Speaking, the chairman Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Isioma OKobah, who threw more light on the MNCHW campaign, reiterated that investing in Women and Children's Health was vital for sustainable economic and social development.
" Healthy women and children contribute to healthy economies, political stability and shared prosperity which is in line with his Excellency's Prosperity and Health For All Deltans Policy as encapsulated in his SMART agenda.
The campaign was inspired by the realization that Maternal and children's death are largely preventable. And currently, the government of Delta State is providing free Maternal services, free treatment of children 0-5 and has scaled up Immunization coverage.
Over 2,240 health personnel have so far been engaged, and they are waiting in all health facilities and outreach Centers to provide health services to the eligible population. They shall also visit schools, places of worship, to provide these services. It is important to mention that our approach has been community-oriented. Outside assistance is vital but sustainable success will depend on a strong sense of local 'ownership' ". Dr. OKobah remarked.
While stressing that mothers should make themselves and children available to access the health services, the agency's chairman commended the wife of the State governor for her role in amplifying voices towards having healthy and well-nourished children in Delta State describing her as the nutrition champion of the State.
In his welcome address, the Aniocha South Council chairman Hon. Anwuzia, expressed delight over the programme describing it as a great step towards the eradication of diseases and death. He also commended the wife of the governor for her role.
Dr. OKobah further disclosed that the exercise would commence on Sunday 15th July to Friday 20th July 2018 featuring services such as screening for status of nutrition for age 6 months to 59 months, ante natal care and Tetanus toxoid for pregnant women.
Other services are family planning/birth spacing for men and women of child bearing age, counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS, birth registration and certification, among others.
