By Sani Idris
In a continuous effort towards reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality rate in Kaduna State, the second Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week, has been flaged-off in Zaria Local Government area of Kaduna state.
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 MNCH week is a biannual event in Nigeria that is aimed at improve the health of mothers and children and reduce child mortality.
Speaking at the MNCH week flag off on Monday in Zaria LGA of Kaduna state, the UNICEF Health Specialist, Kaduna Field Office, Mrs. Chinwe Eziefe, emphasised 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 speaking, 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 to strengthen childrens immunity.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the event, the State Health Educator, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Board, Isah Yushau, explained that the weeklong event is part of commitment towards ensuring that health interventions reach the necessary populations.
Earlier in a remark, the Zaria LG Health Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Sule, emphasised that the exercise focused on providing interventions for mothers, children, and newborns.
NAN reports that the flag off saw screening for malnutrition, distribution of nutritional supplements, immunisation to zero dose children, antenatal care, among others.
