Oyebanji Restates Commitment To Infant Mortality Reduction

Wife of Ekiti State Governor Olayemi Oyebanji has assured that no efforts would be spared in providing effective health interventions to reduce infant mortality rate in the state.

The governor’s wife said the state government also attaches importance to measures aimed at ensuring that women of childbearing age and their babies benefit from adequate healthcare delivery in every part of the state.

Dr. Oyebanji gave the assurance at the flag-off ceremony of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in Ekiti State which was organized by Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency in conjunction with Ekiti State Committee on Food and Nutrition.

She explained that the state government’s efforts were clearly demonstrated in the priority given to the health sector by equipping various hospitals and health centres and in the implementation of qualitative programmes across the state.

Mrs. Oyebanji who noted that the programme which is bi-annual would commence on Friday, July 28 to Tuesday, August 1, this year in all government health facilities and designated places across all council areas.

She said, “During the exercise, deworming tablets and vitamins supplements will be administered on children between ages six months to 59 months.

“Pregnant women will have access to HIV screening, medicinal items and other health care commodities. All these interventions are free, safe and effective.”

Oyebanji therefore advised caregivers and mothers to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in ensuring that their wards and children benefit from the intervention.

In his address, the commissioner for health and human services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, encouraged parents to give priority to the nutrition of children to aid their growth, wellbeing and make them contribute meaningfully to the society.

Filani added: “It is not enough that babies should grow, they have to be healthy and well-fed. Nutrition is important, it improves the brain capacity of babies and aids their overall growth.

“There is a clear nexus between health, productivity and economic wellbeing and our government is focused on that from day one. We are also focused on making our babies get the best in terms of nutrition and this forms part of getting a healthy populace.”

The flag-off was attended by the head of service, Mr. Bamidele Agbede; special adviser on budget, economic planning and performance management, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; the Iyaloja General of Ekiti State, Chief Habibat Ogunjobi; nursing mothers and other stakeholders.