The Cross River State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH).
This pledge was highlighted by Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the Governor’s wife, during the launch of the second Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Week at the Primary Health Centre in Henshaw Town, Calabar South.
Bishop Otu explained that the initiative aims to provide a comprehensive range of cost-effective MNCH services and improve access to essential quality care in alignment with the 2007 Integrated MNCH Strategy.
MNCH Week focuses on reducing maternal, perinatal, infant, and childhood mortality and morbidity, promoting reproductive health, and supporting the physical and mental development of children and adolescents within families.
The goal is to enhance the health of women and children by increasing access to key MNCH services, boosting the utilization of routine services, strengthening health systems, encouraging healthy household practices, and improving the management of health information systems.
She stressed the importance of governments at all levels ensuring that women of childbearing age, expectant mothers, and children under five have access to effective healthcare services. She also called for collaboration among health experts, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to achieve universal health coverage.
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Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Health Commissioner, commended Governor Bassey Otu for prioritizing citizens’ health and well-being under his ‘People First’ agenda. He emphasized the need for health stakeholders to support government initiatives to improve community health.
Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, noted that the week-long program targets children aged zero to 59 months and pregnant women. She described it as a collective effort involving various health agencies and partners, underscoring the state’s commitment to maternal and child health.
She stated that this event is a critical step toward providing integrated health services, particularly for mothers and children. The program offers essential interventions such as antenatal care, immunization, deworming, nutrition counseling, and health supervision, strengthening primary healthcare to ensure all mothers and children receive the care they need.
Dr. Otu expressed gratitude to Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu for her contributions to addressing malnutrition, which have inspired continued efforts to improve health outcomes in Cross River State.
Imoh Ukpong, the South-South Zonal Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, commended the state government for organizing the second optimized MNCH Week. He noted significant progress in the health sector under the current administration and urged healthcare stakeholders to view maternal, newborn, and child health as continuous services rather than occasional programs.
Representatives from donor organizations and partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nutrition International, and Zipline Logistics, emphasized the importance of maternal and child health. They pledged to continue supporting government efforts to benefit citizens while praising the administration for fostering collaboration and partner engagement in the state.
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