Cross River second 2022 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week

Dr Linda Ayade Flag-off Maternal, Newborn Health Week

…… As Government Intensifies efforts to improve maternal health indices

Cross River State is set to reduce Child Morbidity and Mortality as it marks the second 2022 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week which is geared towards the provision of health interventions surrounding maternal, newborn, and child health care in the State.

The wife of the governor, Dr. Linda Ayade ably represented by the Director-General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, made this known at the flag-off ceremony held on Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Ikot Omin Health Centre, Calabar, Cross River State, stating that government remains committed to providing interventions surrounding maternal, newborn and child health in the State as maternal, peri-natal and child health is one of the most important issues determining global and national wellbeing.

She stated further that the government has put in place various measures to ensure an effective healthcare system to tackle the twin issue of maternal and child mortality in the State.

Ekpenyong disclosed that Cross River State has embarked on the integration of low-cost, high-impact services and packages across reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health due to the great potential of creating an effective and sustainable healthcare delivery for women and children

The DG implored Cross Riverians especially caregivers to take advantage of the second Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week by taking their under-five children to any of the Primary Healthcare Centres nearest to them to access the various health services which include routine immunization; Vitamin A supplementation; growth monitoring and promotion, screening for malnutrition and appropriate counseling/referral; distribution of deworming medicine, amongst others. The campaign aimed to reach 800,000 children under age 5 and pregnant women through all the health facilities and outreach centers in all the wards in the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara encouraged care givers to ensure their children receive the available health interventions and charged health workers to ensure no child is missed during the exercise, while reiterating the ministry\’s commitment to strengthen health services in the state.

While revealing the essence of the flag-off ceremony, the State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Grace Utiung advised mothers and caregivers to continue to avail themselves of these preventive, promotive, and protective health services even after the celebration of the week so that maternal and child morbidity and mortality can be collectively reduced.

The representative of the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Julius Idoko said the federal government will continue to support states through various interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality indices at the subnational and encouraged State Government to continue to invest in the health sector.

The flag-off ceremony was also attended by the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Barr. Emmanuel Enene, United Nations International Children\’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Consultants, Mrs. Keccy Thompson and Dr Ugochi Eyong, the Secretary of the Muslim Community in Cross River State, Alhaji Shaban, Rev. Esinyo Omin Itu Omin, Pastor Bernard Odoka, amongst others.