FG Urges More Collaboration On Maternal Health

The FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB) has called for increased collaboration with stakeholders in executing maternal and child health programmes.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made the call in an interview with newsmen  in Abuja  Tuesday.

Mohammed said some of the intervention programmes included the free distribution of contraceptive, long lasting insecticide treated nets, the vitamin A supplement for children, immunisation and others.

He said that all the intervention programmes put in place by the government were relevant in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality.

The executive secretary said that efforts to improve maternal and child health should be a collective responsibility of individuals and various government organisations.

Mohammed advised married couples to practise family planning, adding that it was relevant in reducing maternal mortality.

He also said that men should discuss with their wives the number of children they should give birth to, as a step towards effective family planning.

“Family planning is a key factor in reducing maternal mortality, with family planning, mothers will be healthy and will also have healthy children.

“Family planning will help prevent unwanted pregnancy, and it will also help family to adequately cater for their children,” the executive secretary said.

It would be  recalled that the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu had earlier directed that contraceptives be given free in public hospitals.

He said this approach would support family planning methods.

Mohammed, however, said that expectant mothers should attend ante-natal clinic where they would be given medical support on how to prevent complication in pregnancy.

He also advised pregnant women to give birth at health centres, where Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) were available.

He  advised nursing mothers to breast feed their babies, at least in the first six months, adding that exclusive breast feeding would boost baby’s immunity.