In a continuous effort to reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality rate, the Kaduna state government has flagged off the second Maternal, newborn and child health week in Zaria Local government area.
With support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the week-long event received a boost with an integrated mobile outreach services to reach underserved and hard-to-reach communities with various interventions that guarantee child survival.
The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week is a biannual event in Nigeria that aims to improve the health of mothers and children and reduce child mortality.
Speaking, the UNICEF health specialist, Kaduna Field Office, Mrs. Chinwe Eziefe emphasized the importance of maternal and child health, noting that UNICEF has provided adequate vitamin A supplements to reduce the severe malnutrition cases in the Local Government.
Also, the wife of Zaria Local Government Chairman, Hauwa Yakubu Ibrahim promised to ensure judicious distribution of the essential food commodities to improve the health of mothers and strengthen children’s immunity.
In an interview, the State Health educator of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Board, Isah Yusheu explained that the weeklong event is part of commitment to ensure that health interventions reach the necessary populations.
Earlier in a remark, the Zaria LG health secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Sule emphasized that the exercise focus on providing interventions for mothers, children, and newborns.
The flag-off saw screening for malnutrition, distribution of nutritional supplements, immunization of children and antenatal care amongst others.