By Abooluwa Famakinwa
To reduce indices of child morbidity and mortality, the Ondo State government has kick-started a Save Our Children Initiative called “Agbomola.”
Encapsulated in this initiative are : Provision of life-saving Medical and Laboratory Equipment to all Primary Healthcare facilities in the State, training of health workers on the use of the equipment and strengthening of diagnostic capacity of the health workers to respond to minor and common causes of under five and pregnancy related morbidity and mortality in the state.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro revealed this at the training of about 120 Health Workers on Basic life-saving skills in Akure.
Dr. Adegbenro recalled that about 200 Laboratory Technicians and Officers were trained about a week ago to improve the diagnostic capacity at the PHC level which he described as a first of its kind in the state.
The Health Commissioner added that the passion of the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at curbing childhood morbidity and mortality is evident in his painstaking and consistent effort to strengthen the Primary Healthcare Centres to enable them deliver on their mandate.
He recalled that the Governor had on the 20th of August commissioned Medical and Laboratory Equipment worth millions of naira which was distributed to all PHCs in the State and had directed that workers to use the equipment should be trained to enable them perform optimally.
In his words, Mothers and relevant stakeholders at the community level will also be engaged through specific and targeted interventions to help in addressing the common causes of childhood mortality namely : acute respiratory diseases, Malaria,, Measles, Malnutrition and Diarrhea.
Adegbenro charged PHC Coordinators of the 18 LGAs to see it as a clarion call to be on top of the various stages of implementation and do all humanly possible to support the Arakunrin Akeredolu’s vision of a functional and qualitative Primary Healthcare system in the state.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
He called on Development Partners, Philanthropists and Well Meaning Nigerians to lend the government a helping hand in reducing the indices of childhood morbidity and mortality.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu said though the State has achieved great reduction in maternal and child morbidity and mortality, it will not rest on its oars until it achieves zero.
To achieve this targeted reduction, Dr. Akanbiemu said the PHC has to be strengthened since it accounts for over 70% of caregivers in the state.
He implored Parents and Caregivers to seek medical attention at accredited health facilities were there are skilled hands so they can maximally enjoy the dividend of democracy.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Lead Resource Person and Chief Medical Director Mother and Child Hospital Akure, Dr. Banke Oluwafemi taught with practical demonstration Basic lifesaving skills such as : Prevention of infection , Neonatal Resuscitation, Strategies of sustaining the life of a child beyond the neonatal period among others.
Some participants interviewed such as the PHC Coordinator Akoko Southwest Local Government Area, Dr. Isaiah Oyetunde and the Deputy director Community Health Services, Mrs Florence Ogunmakinwa say the training is a right step in the right direction.
They said the role of training and retraining cannot be over emphasized in qualitative healthcare delivery.
Study @ Achievers University
