While representing the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen at the stakeholders meeting held at JOOPSA on the 19th of June 2024. The Director, Community & Family Health Services, EDSPHCDA Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, emphasized the meeting’s primary objectives was to update the stakeholders on the upcoming Maternal and Child Health Week (MNCHW) scheduled for July 13th to 17th, 2024, and to solicit their input, contributions, and commitment to ensuring a successful campaign.
The State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Phil Imade Nekpen, highlighted the need for the strategic meeting to increase vitamin A uptake from 86% in 2023 to 95% in 2024. “Our goal is to reach more mothers and children, improve their health, and reduce mortality rates,” she asserted.
Adding to the discourse, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mrs. Ada Ezeogu discussed the opportunity for Edo State to invest $100,000, and UNICEF will put a minimum of the same amount to purchase nutrition commodities for the state such as Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for treating severely malnourished children and multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for pregnant women to prevent anemia and low birth weight,” she explained.
The meeting saw robust attendance from representatives of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), religious bodies, and other key stakeholders, all pledging their support and commitment to the MNCHW initiative.
