The Rivers State Government in collaboration with its partner agencies, has commenced the Bi-Annual Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week as part of efforts to tackle the challenge of high maternal and under five morbidity and mortality.

The week which began  on  Monday, June 18, will end on Sunday  June 24, 2012 in all the health facilities and outreach communities in the state.

According to an earlier statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tamunoyoriari Parker, childhood interventions like Vitamin A supplement for children from 6-59 months old, de-worming for 12-59 months old children, as well as screening for acute malnutrition for children between the ages of 6-59 months were carried out during the exercise.

Also provided were tetanus vaccination for pregnant and lactating women, social mobilisations for route immunisation and immunisation against vaccine preventable disease, information, education and communication (IEC) on infant and young child feeding.

Other activities during the exercise include hygiene promotion, hand washing, malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as distribution of insecticide treated bed nets, and birth registration in all health facilities.

Also witnessed during the period, were routine immunisation with focus on children less than 12 months with the newly launched pentavalent, family planning education and distribution of commodities, and antenatal clinic attendance.

The Commissioner had  enjoined all residents in the state to ensure that they take their children who are less than five years old to the nearest health centre or vaccination post in order to receive these interventions which according to him are provided free of charge.