Ondo State has received recognition for being among the best performing states with 107 per cent coverage in the February, 2022, round of Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka has said.
Ajaka disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure at an event to commemorate the May 2023 MNCHW in Ondo State.
He added that the exclusive breast-feeding rate in the state had increased from 23.8 per cent to 51.5 per cent in the recently concluded health survey.
The commissioner explained that the achievements were as a result of the introduction of Accelerated Birth registration championed by Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of the state governor.
According to Ajaka, the present administration in the state has impacted positively on routine immunisation and the MNCHW since its assumption of office.
The commissioner explained that MNCHW was a week-long event organised to deliver an integrated package of preventive services known to be highly cost effective for improving maternal and child health survival.
He added that there was strong commitment of the Akeredolu administration to maternal and child health programme in the state.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the present administration to good health of citizens and the building of an enviable health service in the state.
Ajaka enjoined mothers and all stakeholders to continue to support the government in making the state health service delivery the best among other states of the federation.
He asked parents and caregivers to take their children and wards of O to 59 months of age to public health facilities and designated service points close to them for the MNCHW exercise.
Also, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHDA), said that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was the architect of success recorded in the health sector.
He recalled how the governor gave the agency two 200 KVA generators for storage of vaccines in its Cold Chain “thus Ondo State acquired the designation of having the best Cold Chain facility in the country.
“It is because of continuous support from the governor with the support of commissioner and his health adviser.
“Her excellency is an able supporter of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. She is passionate about children and women a lot,” he said.
Also speaking, the wife of the state governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, said that it was noteworthy that the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency won the award of best cold chain management in the country.
She added that the agency had also taken the lead of other states in the country following the outstanding performances in Integrated Measles Campaign ( IMC) and other outbreak response conducted in November 2022 and January 2023 respectively.
According to her, these achievements have attracted letter of commendation from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
She commended the governor for his efforts towards child protection, survival and development.
The governor’s wife also extended the appreciation to the state primary healthcare agency and the health commissioner for their efforts towards healthcare service delivery in the state.
