Kogi Govt Restates Commitment To Prioritising Health Of Mothers And Children

By Habibatullah Onakpa Abdallah

Kogi state Government in collaboration with development partners and community leaders have promised to continue to prioritise the health of mothers and children in the state.

Commissioner for Health, Doctor Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza made the promise in a message to the flag off of the second round of the twenty twenty five maternal newborn and child Health Week( MNCHW) in Lokoja.

The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Steven Momoh Azeez noted that the goal of the Flagg off was to improve the health status and wellbeing of mothers and children.

He acknowledged the sobering reality of the health sector and assured that Kogi State Government is working to improve health outcomes in collaboration with development partners.

Speaking on the Flagg off, the Executive Director Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Doctor Musa Mauzu explained that maternal newborn and child health week is a cost effective health package designed to reduce morbidity and mortality in mothers and children under five years old.

He noted that its objective is to ensure access to routine immunization, provide vitamin A supplements and deworming for children screening for acute malnutrition and offering focused antenatal care for pregnant women.

Doctor Mauzu explained that Nigeria has a stunting prevalence of twenty nine point nine percent among children under five while kogi state has a higher prevalence of thirty four point six percent.

He assured that the Agency has plans to put more focus on nutrition activities in Primary Health Care facilities and strengthen community outreach to promote proper nutrition practice.

Doctor Mauzu expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo,His Deputy Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, wife of the Governor Hajia Sefinat Ododo Assembly members and Development partners like UNICEF,W H O for their immense contribution to the success of the Programme.

In her good will message, the UNICEF team lead Mrs Rachel Ityonzughal said she is in Kogi State to ensure that Kogi women benefit from vitamin A supplement and urged the state to key into the Child Nutrition fund scheme.

There were good will messages from Kogi JNI, Kogi State CAN and representative of traditional rulers in Kogi State the Ohiegba of Mozum Chief Khalid Bukar Ali and that of world health Organisation, WHO.