The Borno government, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has established 488 sites across the state for health services during the first round of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MMCHW).
Professor Mohammed Arab, the Executive Secretary of the Borno Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), inaugurated the week at Mala Kachallah Primary Healthcare Centre in Maiduguri on Monday.
Mr. Arab explained that these sites are spread across the 27 local government areas of the state. He emphasised the importance of the health week in hastening the delivery of essential interventions to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality rates. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen routine healthcare delivery.
“It’s a bi-annual campaign that takes place in the 1st 6 months (Round 1) and the 2nd 6 months (Round 2) of the year respectively.
“This year’s Round 1 activity will run consecutively for five days from 10th to 14th June,” he said.
The services offered comprise antenatal care, deworming, HIV testing and counselling, provision of vitamin A supplements, health promotion, immunisation, and birth registration.
“There is also distribution of Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and long-lasting insecticide net and iron folate for pregnant women,” Mr Arab said.
He mentioned that the nutrition screening would help identify and address severe malnutrition in children at an early stage.
“Undernutrition is a significant contributor to child mortality, linked to over 60 percent of diarrhoea deaths, 57 percent of malaria deaths and 52 per cent of pneumonia deaths”.
In a statement, Health Commissioner Prof. Baba Mallam explained that the MNCHW doesn’t replace regular health services but adds to them, enhancing efforts to offer top-notch healthcare.
“These interventions are designed to significantly increase the coverage of preventive and curative services, thus ensuring that we meet the needs of mothers and children effectively and efficiently.
“This initiative offers a unique opportunity for women and children to access crucial health services free of charge at their nearest health facility.
“The importance of this week cannot be quantified.
“It represents a concentrated effort to deliver interventions that can save lives and improve health outcomes,” Mr Mallam said.
Dr. Aisha Kadai, representing WHO and its partners in Maiduguri, encouraged all stakeholders to seize the week to expand coverage and enhance services in Borno. She mentioned that the WHO has deployed personnel and provided medical supplies to support outreach efforts in remote areas and address shortages in required commodities for the first round of activities.
“WHO is working with Borno SPHCDA in prioritisation of maternal, newborn and child health.
“These activities are instrumental to achieving the state 25 years Development Framework, the 10 year Strategic Transformation Plan as well as the SDGs,” Ms Kadai said.