Rotary International in partnership with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health Reproductive health unit held a one day joint awareness campaign on maternal and child health in Agwan Tiv within the Lafia metropolis
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Salome V. Aya welcome women participating in the programme and called for their support
She disclosed that apart from sensitization and awareness to be carried out, there will be free medical treatment and distribution of mosquito nets and testing.
She appealed for orderly conduct during the programme, assuring that every one will be attended to, especially mother and child.
Country Director Rotary Maternal and Child Health Project, Professor Emmanuel Ludafeju while marking remarks at the occasion, said Rotary International is concern about the health of the. mother and the child that is why the organisation has embarked on the promotion of safe motherhood and child health.
He said Rotary International is working to support women and children in the areas of Immunisation and Vaccination and has been working with Nasarawa State in the promotion of safe motherhood
Ludafeju charged women, especially those that are pregnant to make going for antenatal and routine habit.
Professor Emmanuel Ludafeju says the goal of Rotary international is to see that no mother or child suffers mortality that is medically preventable.
He informed participants that besides the provision of free medications would be provided with free mosquito nets and birth kits and Rotary’s contribution to promote safe motherhood.
On what his impression looking at the programme which was held in Andaha, Akwanga and Agwan Tiv, Lafia, Professor Lufedaju expressed satisfaction with the large turn out of women, children and the aged.
He went further to say that the turn out however was an indication that people need help medically, stressing that government alone cannot provide every thing and so the need for organisations such as Rotary to step in to provide support.
Professor Lufedaju disclosed Rotary has. been working with the State government in the provision of needed information, awareness creation on maternal health and safe motherhood.
He said there was every need to ensure that mothers and child get the right information on nutrition, vaccination and immunisation.
He further emphasised on the need that pregnant women attend antenatal for absolute care and safe delivery.
Professor Ludafeju disclosed that Rotary has been working in with the state government to prevent mother and infant mortality and expressed happiness to see how women are enthusiastic about the programme and thank the Nasarawa State government for the opportunity for Rotary to contribute to safe motherhood in the state.
Krestnews reports that Rotary International started working in Nigeria on maternal health issue since 2013 but only came to Nasarawa state in the past 4- 5 years.
“I am happy to note that if Rotary pulls out today, Nasarawa state put in place a sustainable plan to continue with the campaign for safe motherhood.”
Also speaking the Mrs Ashezi Ezekiel Maidawa, State Midwive, Rotary Punch, together for healthy families in Nigeria said the programme is aimed creating awareness on the nee for child spacing to promote maternal and child health.
She called on women to cultivate the habit of ensuring personal hygiene both for themselves and their children, eating of balance food, and ensuring that the sleep under mosquito treated nets to prevent mortality resulting from malaria.
Krestnews reports that the programme featured free medical consultations, screening for BP, malaria and sugar and provision of free medications as well as distribution of free mosquito nets to the aged and pregnant women.