Mother, Child Mortality: DELGA Chairman declares zero tolerance, set to host Maternal, Neonatal Child Health Week

The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, has declared that the LGA would have zero tolerance for the preventable cases of mother and child mortality, as measures would be taken to curtail such incidences.The Council Boss made the declaration, Thursday, when he played host to leadership of the Rivers State Primary Health-Care Management Board, at the Council Secretariat in Degema.

He stated that despite the complex nature of the LGA and paucity of funds, the Council would ensure that Health awareness gets to the nooks and crannies of DELGA, in order for indigent dwellers to benefit from medical interventions, provided by the government to save lives.Hon. Williams lamented that it was unacceptable for mothers or their children to die before, during or after child birth, owing to lack of proper information, noting that the Administration would partner with relevant stakeholders in the LGA to do the needful.

He apprised that, following his last meeting with health officials in the LGA, Council had already engaged churches and would extend same to schools, as strategic partners, to effectively sensitize and galvanize the people to respond positively.While commending the Management for their services, particularly the free delivery offer for pregnant women, who register with the Primary Health Centres and attend antenatal care sessions for at least 4 times, Hon. Williams maintained that the Council under his watch was poised to up the poor rating of the LGA on the areas of vaccination and other health services.

On the hosting of the Second Round of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), the Chairman assured that the Council would give all necessary support, to ensure that the programme went on seamlessly, adding that security would be top-notch.Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Primary Health-Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), Dr. Agba Harry, while commending the Council Chairman for supporting the activities of the Primary Health-Care in the LGA, disclosed that the forthcoming MNCHW, would take place from Monday, 28th February to Friday, March 4, 2022.

He stated that as a way of reducing maternal, neonatal and childhood morbidities and mortalities, the weeklong programme would offer the following free health services;•Deworming•Immunization•Vitamin A Supplementation•Nutrition Promotion•Antenatal Care•Free Deliveries•Birth Registration•Family Planning•HIV/AIDS interventions•Free Malaria Treatment•Distribution of Treated Mosquito Nets.

Dr. Harry however appealed to the Council Boss to assist the Ministry, by sensitizing and mobilizing the people of Degema to massively turnout, in order to fully benefit from the health intervention.Present at the meeting were; the Executive Chairman of DELGA, Hon. Michael John Williams, his Vice and Supervisor for Health, Hon. Maureen Obuba Harry,

Leader of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Hon. Barr. Johnson Eugene Johnson, Chief of Staff, Hon. Ipalibo Horatio Yellowe, Secretary to Council, Mr. Nicolas Harry , Chief Whip of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Hon. Sherry Braideand Nelly Johnbull, SA on Health, amongst others.On the team of the RSPHCMB were; Dr. Agiriye Harry, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Primary Health-Care Management Board; Dr. Tonye Wihioka, Director, Community Health, RSPHCMB; Dr. E. Jaja; and Dr. Idawarifa Cookey-Gam, Director Health, Ministry of Health (MOH) Degema.