The Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun has described as unacceptable the high rate of maternal mortality in the country, calling on stakeholders to put all hands on deck to reverse the trend. Mrs. Amosun made the call at Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the State at the flag-off of the 1st Round of National Immunization plus Days for 2014 and the launch of the Uplifting Safe Motherhood Initiative.
Mrs. Amosun said the present maternal mortality rate which stood at 245 in every 1,000 births called for concern by all, emphasising that the time is now to work towards bringing down the figure. She therefore pledged the readiness of her pet project, the “Uplifting Foundation” to support all programmes and activities capable of improving the health of children and mothers in the State.
She indicated that the Uplifting Safe Motherhood Initiative being launched was a step in this direction as it would help and contribute its quota to all efforts meant to reduce the prevalence to the barest minimum. The Governor’s wife charged that to get to the desired level, no effort should be spared to create awareness on the importance of immunization and how it could help scale down maternal mortality caused by pregnancy related complications.
“More efforts should be intensified to create awareness on the importance of Immunization and Maternal mortality caused from pregnancy related complications”, she charged.
On his part, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka said that the State had improved tremendously in routine and supplementary immunization; he however maintained that the tempo should be sustained to enhance the health status of children. Dr. Soyinka therefore underscored the need for stakeholders in the State to embrace the 4-day exercise that would commence formally tomorrow, Saturday 1st March throughout the State, saying it remained a veritable means of protecting children aged 0-5 against diseases.
Highlight of the event during which mothers pledged their readiness to make their wards available for immunization was the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets and ‘Mama Kits’ by the Governor’s Wife.
Ogun State Government Press Release
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