Pregnant women to enjoy free medical services as Maternal, Newborn Child health care week begins from July 22 across Rivers State

Health officials at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, have dropped the hint that pregnant women will enjoy free medical services from July 22 to July 26th during the bi-annual maternal, Newborn and child health week.

At a stakeholders interactive session in Port Harcourt, the Director, Community Health Services, Dr Joy Whiyoka, said the success of the programme is critical in the overall interest of the State, considering the fact that the State Government is providing free health services for the benefit of pregnant women and newborn babies.

She said the Deputy Governor Prof Ngozi Odu, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, are particularly interested in the programme, because women ought not to die during child birth.

She called on the media to partner with the health sector to publicise the weeklong medical programme that is funded by the Governor Siminalayi Fubara led administration.

Earlier in their separate speeches, Dr Tamunobelema Jaja, and Dr. Diane Babbo, explained the modalities for the programme which they disclosed was in its 28th Season this year, since it’s inception in 2010.

They said the maternal mortality rates are increasing by the day and there is a need for urgent action, in order to end the ugly trend.

They said the pull and push strategy will be adopted across communities in the State, to ensure that Medical interventions are taken to remote areas, despite the services that will be offered at the 344 health centres in the State.

They urged parents and teachers, whose schools are still in session to allow health workers to administer Vitamin A supplements and also immunise their children aged 5years and below.

The medical Doctors noted that in addition to the routine immunisation, birth registration, family planning, HIV testing and counselling, malaria testing and treatment, and deworming will be done.

Pregnant women who register for ante natal during this period will be eligible for free delivery, while those who attend 4 ante natal clinics before their due date will be eligible for free delivery.

They highlighted new trends in newborn care, such as the use of cholhexidine on the baby’s navel, instead of methylated spirit, that was previously used, and the encouragement of immediate and exclusive breastfeeding of newborn babies during the first 6 months.