The Kwara State Government, on Monday, said the Week of Maternal, Neonatal and Children's Health (MNCH) at Amoyo Primary School, IFELODUN Local Government area, with a call to better maternal and child medical care through routine immunization and community health education.
The one -week program, coordinated by the Primary Health Care Development Agency of the State of Kwara, aims to provide essential medical care services to mothers and children, as well as the state government discredited the common myths around immunization.
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Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of Health Workers based on the Community of the Primary Health Development Agency of the State of Kwara, Dr. Adeniran Ayodeji Adebayo, said that MNCH week was designed to improve the health results of pregnant women and children under five years.
“This program is specifically for our children,” he said, adding: “We all know that health is wealth. If we want our children to be healthy, we must start early, and that begins with immunization. It is free, safe and one of the most profitable ways of preventing diseases and saving lives.”
Dr. Adeniran, who addressed public erroneous concepts around immunization, said the fears of population control are unfounded.
“Some say that vaccines are used to reduce the population, but that is simply a rumor. I remember that classmates who were victims of polyomyelitis, but today such cases are rare. Immunization has changed that. Our population is still growing, the facts speak for themselves.”
He also highlighted the role of key health partners in the state immunization efforts, while recognizing UNICEF, who, Anrin and the Child Nutrition Fund for their continuous support through financing, labor, data tools and community mobilization.
“UNICEF supports us with funds and mobilization of the community,” said Dr. Adeniran. “Who provides tools and data servers, while Anrin and the Child Nutrition Fund help with labor and defense through traditional institutions,” he said.
Also speaking, the wife of the president of the local government of Ifelodun, Hajia Fatima, reiterated the importance of community awareness.
“We are here to illuminate our people about maternal and child medical care, from pregnancy to childbirth, and especially in the first six months after birth. It is important that women understand the attention that they and their babies need during this crucial time,” he said.
“What we are doing here is about protection, reducing maternal and child mortality through accessible education and medical care. Our health workers have moved from one community to another to ensure that everyone is informed and involved,” he said.
The program also included routine immunization programs such as: • Penta 1 for babies at 6 weeks • Penta 2 at 10 weeks • Penta 3 at 14 weeks • Vitamin A at 6 months and 1 year • Measles 1 and 2 vaccines at 9 months and 15 months respectively It is expected that children return for checks every six months until they reach the age of six.
Another key feature of the week was the administration of vaccines against HPV to 9 -year -old girls, aimed at protecting against cervical cancer, with a recommended routine detection every three years from the age of 30.
The director of Health at the IFELODUN LGA, the head of Alhaji, Abdul Salam Abdul Rasak, along with an independent Supervisor of UNICEF, was also present at the event to monitor and support the program's activities.
“The week of the MNCH will run until Friday, June 28, while the national immunization more days (NIPDH) will begin on Saturday, further reinforcing the state's commitment to safeguard child and maternal health,” he said.