PROTOCOL
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this occasion. Polio is a virus that causes paralysis, but could be prevented by the polio vaccine.
In year 2020, Nigeria was certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as free of the virus, but recently, a strain of the polio virus was identified in our sister State, Abia State. To check its spread, NPHCDA and partners are rolling out an outbreak response to ensure that the vulnerable, especially children, are not infected.
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) is a one-week programme organized for intervention towards immunity against the virus and improved maternal and child health, especially of infants and children below 5 years and ultimately reduce high mortality rate in Imo State. For its actualization, the Imo State Government is deploying an Integrated Approach with the implementation of the First round of 2021 Maternal Newborn Child Health Week (MNCHW), in line with the Federal Government spontaneous response.
During the programme, Antenatal Care Services and Health Education on Key Household Practices (KHHPs), such as hand washing, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Adequate complementary feeding, would be re-emphasized. Insecticides treated bed nets and much more would be presented to care givers.
In addition to the availability of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for children between ages 0 to 5, the State has the following: Adequate supply of Vitamin A for children between 6 months to 5 years; Tablets for deworming children between 1 year and 5 years; and multivitamins for pregnant women. Provision of Primary Health Care is one of the cardinal policies of this Administration. Efforts must be geared towards its accessibility by every child.
The Programme kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, 19th and ends on Wednesday, 23rd June, 2021. There will be House to House and Outreach Centres Visitations. All mothers are enjoined to avail themselves this great opportunity by visiting the nearest Health Centre with their children for accessibility. For a seamless Programme, I urge all wives of the LGA Interim Management Committee Chairmen and members of the Interim Management Committee to mobilize and supervise the Exercise and thereafter, send reports to my office. I also request all members of the House of Assembly to support the Exercise at their various LGAs. The Mass Media, Agencies of Government as well as NGOs are urged to contribute to the success of this Exercise. Traditional Rulers, Town Union Presidents and Religious Leaders should ensure proper mobilization of their respective communities to co-operate with the health workers in achieving the set goals of the Exercise. All services are free and every child's right.
My sincere appreciation goes to the National Primary HealthCare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other Development Partners, especially, WHO and UNICEF, who have been resolute and in the forefront in ensuring a healthy and disease-free generation. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am optimistic that if we translate our collective desire and determination to give our mothers and children the best into concrete action, the objective of this exercise would be fully achieved. Every contribution we make towards active participation, support, publicity or even presentation of our wards for this Exercise earns one the joy and satisfaction of achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
May I, on behalf of the mothers and children of Imo state, flag-off the First rounds of OBR and 2021 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week Campaign in Imo State.
Thank you and God bless.
H.E. Barr. Chioma Uzodimma First Lady, Imo State
