The Federal and Bayelsa State governments have been charged to create and implement strong health policies towards reducing the high rates of maternal and infant deaths in the country.
Members of the National Association of Seadogs —Pyrates Confraternity (NAS PC), Oxbow Marino Deck, made the call during an outreach to mark the 2025 World Health Day, with the theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
In partnership with medical professionals from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, the group emphasised the importance of providing free antenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women.
They stressed that such support would improve maternal health and reduce complications that often lead to deaths during childbirth.
The leader of Oxbow Marino Deck, Engr. Adogbeji Egbonoje, said these measures were crucial in preventing common childhood illnesses and ensuring healthier futures for mothers and their babies.
He highlighted the motivation of NAS PC in organising the event, as reflecting the creed of the association – “For Humanistic Ideals” and “For Comradeship and Chivalry”.
He stated that the role of women in the society cannot be overemphasized, adding that women need to take good care of their health and that of the unborn child to impact on how healthy the society will be in future.
Discussions at the outreach centred on antenatal and postnatal care best practices, child nutrition and immunisation, prevention and management of common maternal/childhood illnesses and reduction of maternal and infant mortalities.
