Awka—NO fewer than 2.5 million women and children have been targeted by the Anambra State Government to benefit from health care services during this year’s second round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week starting in all parts of the state, today.
The break-down shows that 900,970 children from six to 59 months would receive Vitamin A supplement, while 211,993 children of zero to 59 months, 264,991 pregnant women, and 1,165,960 women of child bearing age would be immunized against diseases such as measles, yellow fever and tetanus.
The programme, to be launched by Governor Willie Obiano at Obeledu in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, is sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, and World Health Organisation, WHO, in partnership with the state government.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike told reporters, yesterday, that the exercise will take place in all government-owned health institutions, select private hospitals and other designated centres, and urged women to avail themselves of the opportunity, noting that all the vaccines were free and safe.
"This exercise is an integrated package of preventive and curative health intervention services known to be highly cost- effective, yet result-oriented. It is aimed at reducing neonatal, maternal and child morbidity and mortality in the country," he said.
