The Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week is a regular feature in our efforts to drive down the number of mortalities and illnesses amongst mothers and children. It is designed to deliver a weeklong integrated package of highly cost-effective, yet result-oriented, preventive and curative services.
This round will feature integrated health services for communities.
The Government of Okezie Ikpeazu, my beloved husband, is leaving no stone unturned to see that our health care delivery system in Abia State becomes number one. We are fostering strong partnerships between government and communities to provide the basic right to life for mother and child.
We are pursuing efforts to reduce high rates of preventable deaths by scaling up some basic steps such as family planning, preventive treatment of malaria in pregnant women and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. Others include immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, de-worming of children, use of oral rehydration salt with zinc for diarrhea and use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria.
I commend the healthcare workers for the self-sacrifice and dedication to duty.
I encourage mothers to take advantage of this health packages to ensure that they protect themselves and their babies. I call on fathers, neighbors, community leaders, religious leaders and caregivers to contribute their voice in promoting healthy choices for mother and children. Tell any woman around you to ensure she undertakes complete ante-natal and post-natal care during pregnancy and after delivery.
Finally, I want to remind all of us, that the Corona Virus is still with us and spreading. Do not take chances. Always wear a mask and wash your hands regularly with soap and running water or use a hand sanitizer. Maintain social distance from others and ensure you eat healthily. By God grace we will also overcome this second wave.
