Aisha Buhari
Aisha
Aisha Buhari
Aisha Buhari Marks 2nd MNCH week in Kebbi
Recent statistics indicate that Nigeria ranks fourth among
countries with highest rates of maternal mortality and second in
neonatal deaths. One of the causes of these poor indices is that
women and children do not have access to essential health services.
This is worse in underserved and hard to reach communities.
Since 2010, the National Council on Health had marked a
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) week as a strategy for
achieving global health targets and to promote maternal and child
health in the country. During the week, services such as
immunization, deworming of children below the age of five years,
vitamin A supplementation, Micronutrient supplements for women and
children as well as nutrition assessment, family planning services,
HIV testing, and many other interventions are delivered to
vulnerable populations and those in hard to reach areas.
The week is marked twice a year, in May and in November. The
November, 2018 round, has been scheduled to hold from the 19th to
23rd. Many states have established regularity in observing the week
but those that do not, are encouraged to do so for the benefit of
their citizens.
Future Assured Programme of Her Excellency, wife of the
President, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has been supporting the
MNCH Week since the inception of this administration, by
participating in the activities of states; so far, the Programme
has participated in the north-east, north-central and south-west
zones.
Kebbi, from the North West is our fourth participation, and a
formal event will be flagged-off at Birnin Kebbi on the 21st of
November, 2018.
The objective of the event is to create awareness on the need
for states to imbibe timely and regular observance of the week,
provide the full complement of services while taking into account
state peculiarities as well as revamping primary health care
centers so that these services can be routine. Wives of governors
are requested to champion these efforts in their states.