By Charles Nwabardi
The Permanent Secretary(PS), of Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Jude Winful-Orieke has called on women in Delta State to ensure that their children are immunized against childhood life threatening diseases by making them available during the forthcoming Delta State Maternal Newborn Child week (MNCHW) slated for 23rd to 29th June, 2023.
This was contained in his address on Thursday during Stakeholders meeting towards Maternal Newborn Child Week organized by the Social Mobilization Committee which took place in the New Delta State Government Secretariat, Asaba, Delta State Capital.
He also appealed to other Stakeholders like Ministry of Education, Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Of Information including market Associations to help sensitize women for the free exercise.
While emphasizing the need for the immunization, the PS stated that the essence of involving various stakeholders in the immunization exercise was for proper sensitization and mobilization.
Speaking further, Winful-Orieke reiterated the scope of the health exercise which include: immunization against Polio, tuberculosis, measles, test and treatment of malaria, Hiv tests and counselling including increasing awareness on women reproductive health.
He added that women in Delta State must not afford to miss the health week owing to the numerous gains relating to the good health of women and their children especially in the drastic reduction of mother and child morality.
“The exercise is cost effective and we cannot afford to miss the opportunity due to its numerous advantages and it is just for one week” Said the PS.
He unequivocally advised parents to be mindful of giving good nutrition for their children as it will afford them all round healthy growth.
The PS encouraged Deltans to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as it was not yet over.
The Programme Managers of Malaria, HIV and tuberculosis also buttressed the sayings of Winful-Orieke.
Among those present were: the Permanent Secretary, Directorate Of Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Aghara, Market women Associations, Arewa Community, Clergies, Non governmental Organizations, distinguished media professionals and so on.