UNICEF Lauds RSG On Maternal Health

United Nations Children  Fund (UNICEF) lauded the efforts of Rivers State Government in raising its maternal and child health provision.

The commendation was given by the Zone A Officer of UNICEF, Dr. Sylvester Igbedioh during an advocacy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Mr  George Feyii ahead of the Maternal/Newborn and Child Health Week at the weekend in Port Harcourt.

Dr Igbedioh observed that the state has made tremendous progress since it  started implementing the UNICEF policy programme3 in 2010, coupled with the new medical facilities now provided in the rural areas.

“I must say Rivers State is doing well, but we are here to urge it to do better”.

He however said there is need to review some of the programmes in tandem with the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) on health, and also called for the engagement of other stakeholders in health policy programmes and implementation.

The UNICEF official who called for equity in maternal/child health care provision emphasised the need to reach out to those in the rural areas, “equity is not equality per se, but equity is giving every child an opportunity to benefit from the same service  that is applicable to others”.

He listed some of the pervious programmes as immunisation, birth registration, ante and post-natal care, child nutrition and preventive medicine.

Also speaking, through the Permanent Secretary Special Bureau Services, Mr. Sovens Okari, the Secretary to the State Government stated that so far the state has raised the level of its maternal and child health with the provision of health centres within one kilometre radious in all parts of the state.

Mr Feyii remarked that, “Rivers State has seen health as one of its major parameters with respect o services to its people.”

Currently, he stated that the government is striving to ensure every citizen of the state has access to health, “ we take health to the doorsteps of every Nigerian resident in the state.”

 The SSG assured that the Amaechi led administration will continue to pay its counterpart funding to UNICEF and give health its pride of place, as a way to improve the health needs of mothers and new born babies.