Ogun Shows Commitment To Maternal, Infant, Young Child Nutrition

IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Ogun State government, has said that it will  continue to support initiative geared towards reducing maternal mortality and child morbidity rate, so as to improve the health status of its citizenry.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Tomi Coker gave the assurance in Ijebu-Ode, while declaring open the state level training of trainers for the institutionalisation of the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition course, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Bank.

Dr. Coker said nutrition was one of the basic determinants of good health which requires universal coverage, stating that  relevant stakeholders and caregivers  should be  exposed to global best practices in that regard.

“Over two-thirds of malnutrition-related deaths occur in the first year of life which is often associated with inappropriate feeding practices,” she said.

The Commissioner charged all frontline health workers  that interface with mothers and children to provide accurate messages to households on optimal maternal, impact and young child nutrition, in order to significantly reduce malnutrition in all it forms.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Development Board in the state, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola said the participants had a task ahead, noting that they were expected to go into the communities for proper enlightenment.

He urged them to see the training as an opportunity to improve their skills and capacity in service delivery in their respective areas.

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the World Bank Accelerating Result Nutritionin Nigeria (ANRiN), Hajia Hauwa Usman, and Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Muheez Seun and the South-West Zonal Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Rotimi Oyewole appreciated the state government for its unwavering support at ensuring adequate capacity building for the health workers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Coker has flagged off a medical outreach put together by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Agape Zonal Headquarters, Ikenne Remo, as part of its  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Commissioner encouraged people to embrace the state Health Insurance Scheme to enable them access adequate care at any government health facilities across the state.

Highlight of the event witnessed free health Insurance for the elderly, especially of age 65 and above and free eye glasses by the state government.