Cross River Records A Little Decline In Maternal and Child Mortality As State Flags Off 1st Round of maternal Newborn and Child Health Week

The Cross River State Government has announced a Noticeable increased patronag of Health Facilities by pregnant women and children which has resulted to a decline in the mortality rate of pregnant women and children under the age of 5 within the last 12 month across the state .

Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade made the disclosure in Calabar during the flag off ceremony of the first round of the 2022 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

Dr Ayade said , the high impact interventions of both the state and Federal Government through the support of development partners in the state has afforded pregnant women and children the opportunity to get access to Nutrient supplimentation , deworming tablets, antenatal services and other vital medical care services at no cost, especially after the emergence of the Covid-19 virus and the lock down which had resulted to low patronage of Health Facilities. 

Dr Ayade who was represented by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong attributed the gains to the level of synergy between the state government, "progressive partners, influencers comprising of religious, traditional and political leaders while also praising health workers for their commitment and dedication.

Dr Ekpenyong said, drugs such as vitamin  A supplementation,  Albendezole (for Deworming) will help strengthen immunity  in Fighting diseases and improve nutrition especially in children noting that, significant cases of malnutrition has been traced to worm infestation in the intestine which compete unfavorably with humans for nutrients.

" Mothers in Cross River State are now keen to participate in a week worth of activities that compliment routine health services with unlimited packages proven to boost their own health and those of their babies.

In high impact activities like today's, pregnant women will be given services including folic acid supplements, pmtct services, delivery kits, 

Malaria testing and  prophylaxis , health education and other ANC services. While the  children will be given deworming tablets, vitamin A suppliment among others as well as afford us the opportunity to check Immunization history of our children and ensure those who may have missed out are immunized. 

"If you don't deworm your children, no matter the amount of food they consume, they won't grow healthily because these worms tend to compete with the human body for nutrients gotten from food".

She also called for improved feeding habits for Children under 5 years old and  women especially during pregnancy to support the development of the, foetus and maintain their health as well.

"Despite the clamour for deworming, if children are not well fed , they won't grow and it will affect the development of vital organs and system as well as build their immunity against some common childhood killer diseases".

She also noted that part of activities to be embacked upon during the week long execise will be Vaccination of over 900,000 Children Against Childhood killer diseases, covid-19 vaccination for adults which will be done during house to house visits, in schools , market places as well as in designated temporary and fixed health posts in the state.

In an earlier address, Cross River State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Grace Utiung called for gaps to be bridged in meeting medical requirements of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers as well as under five children whose body immunity need to be fortified.

She said the team will monitor and do a follow up to ensure that all 900,000 Children targeted will be well attended to especially those in the rural and hard to reach Communities.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Emmanuel Ekeh encouraged pregnant women to take advantage of this opportunity and parents to ensure their children benefit from the exercise as it will help strengthen their immunity and prepare them for the future. 

Good will messages came in from the representatives of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, traditional, Nutrition International, CCRN, Diamond Community women leader, Afrh, Religious bodies who pledged their support towards full implementation of the week long event.