Health

We are committed to improved maternal, neonatal health care – Makinde

By Web News 982

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has promised to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and increase health care facility utilization by 60% in the state. 

He stated this while inaugurating Oyo State expanded maternal and child health care initiative called “Tomotiya”. 

Governor Makinde who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan explained that credible statistics showed that the state has the worst neonatal mortality in the country hence the relevance of the “Tomotiya” initiative in addressing the gap.

The governor added that the initiative would contribute as a key in meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) number 3 which targets improving maternal health. 

In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello said apart from ensuring better welfare for mother and child, the initiative would also provide insurance for pregnant women in the state. 

In a presentation, the initiator of the “Tomotiya” concept and Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Funmi Salami said the pilot stage of the initiative would commence in 3 local governments identified with high risk before it would be expanded across the state.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of goodwill messages by the technical partner of the initiative, UNICEF, as well as WHO, Rotary, APIN amongst others. 

Iyabo Adebisi

News Analysis

Increasing Cases Of Under Five Deaths

By Web News 735

The 2020 mortality estimates by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has revealed that Nigeria has taken over from India as the world capital for under-five deaths.

In the report by UNICEF, Nigeria recorded an estimated average of eight hundred and fifty-eight thousand under-five deaths in 2019 as against India which ranked second with eight hundred and twenty-four thousand deaths out of over five million under-five deaths globally.

The report, which covered a period of three decades from 1990 to 2019, showed that forty-nine percent of all under-five deaths in 2019 occurred in just five countries namely Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

The global under-five mortality rate declined by almost sixty per cent from ninety-three deaths per one thousand live births in 1990 to thirty-eight deaths in 2019.

Even with this improvement, some over five million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2019 alone.

Unfortunately, many of these children died of preventable or treatable conditions such as malaria, Diarrhea, Malnutrition and sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS .

According to World Bank figures, India recorded an estimated nine hundred and eighty-nine thousand under-five deaths in 2017, while Nigeria recorded seven hundred and seventeen deaths in the same year.

While COVID-19 pandemic has limited direct impact on child mortality, countries of the world are experiencing disruptions in child and maternal health services due to resource constraints and fear of contracting the disease.

According to the UNICEF director, Henrietta Fore the global community should not allow COVID-19 pandemic to stop the people from sustaining the trend of reduction in Neonatal deaths.

If all countries were to meet that target, eleven million under-five deaths would be averted from 2020 to 2030.

Also, if the child survival targets are to be met on time, resources and policy must be geared toward not only sustaining current rates of decline but accelerate the progress, which could save millions of lives.

Achieving the child survival goals will require universal access to effective, high-quality and affordable healthcare and safe provision of life-saving interventions for women, children, and young people.

 Fawzeeyah Kasheem

   
Lifestyle

Ogun Govt, UNICEF Organise Training for Radio Reporters

By Web News 767

Journalists in Nigeria have been told to practice what they preach on Covid-19 by observing protocols guiding against the spread of the disease.

The Special Adviser to the Ogun State governor on Public Communication, Pastor Remmy Hazzan made this known while declaring open a day training for Radio Reporters on Covid-19 in Ogun State.

The one day training for the radio journalists in Ogun state was a collaborative effort between the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy and UNICEF aimed at adequately equipping the reporters on safety measures while carrying out their work of gathering and disseminating information.

According to the facilitators, the training for the radio reporter became necessary due to the wide reach of radio broadcasting and the behavioural changing attributes of radio broadcast also needed in the fight against Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging the world.

The special Adviser to the Ogun state governor on public communications, Pastor Hazzan while declaring the training open advised the journalists not to disappoint themselves by making themselves vulnerable to the highly contagious disease.

He said journalists should continue to wear face masks, observe social and physical distancing and also ensure good personal hygiene.

The permanent secretary at the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abiodun Awere in a remark said the training for the radio journalists was to ensure that the right information get to the general public at all times in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ogun State Chief Epidemiologist, Dr. Akeem Yusuf represented by Dr. Adefunke Adesina while addressing the technical session explained the status of Coronavirus disease in Nigeria and efforts to combat the pandemic noting that journalists must endeavour not to spread panic messages while reporting Covid-19 stories.

The UNICEF representative at the training, Mrs. Florence Molokwu explained the roles of the media, use of the health data to write stories and the need to disseminate correct information and helpful messages on Covid-19.

Another facilitator, Mr. Lanre Ogunyinka in a remark highlighted the importance of radio reporter in changing behavioral patterns of the people while the chairman of the caretaker committee of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council Mrs. Omolola Adeyinka thanked the state government and UNICEF for taking the journalists in Ogun State that are regarded as risk communicators to class on Covid-19 in the interest of the public.

Wale Oluokun

Health

Ekiti Govt., UNICEF Hold Workshop for Journalists on Covid-19

By Web News 854

Various safety measures put in place by the Ekiti State Government to check the spread of COVID-19 have been identified as reason the state remains one of the states with lowest cases of coronavirus in the country.

The Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua made this known in Ado Ekiti while declaring open a one-day workshop on COVID-19 organised by his ministry in collaboration with UNICEF Akure Field Office for selected journalists in Ekiti.

Mr Olumilua explained that Ekiti was the second state to set up a 40 man Taskforce on COVID-19, having recorded its index Case in March 18 this year.

He listed some of the safety measures to include lockdown of the state, borders closure,  mandatory use of facemasks, banning of gatherings,  maintenance of  social distancing, use of hand sanitisers as well as regular hand washing among others.

The commissioner noted that Ekiti had recorded only one indigenous case of COVID 19 while other cases were imported into the state, when some people with the virus sneaked into Ekiti.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr Adekunbi Obaisi said the workshop was organised to equip the participants with basic facts about COVID-19 to avoid misinformation as well as fake news on the virus.

In their remarks, representatives of UNICEF, Mr Yahaya Oloriegbe and W.H.O, Dr Funmi Kolade insinuations that health workers usually take blood  samples to arrive at results of those with positive cases.

They however explained that only the nasal and oral faringian samples from nose and mouth were needed to be taken to test whether someone was COVID-19 positive or not.

Ogunrinde Amos

Lifestyle

UNICEF, Ondo Ministry of Information, Stakeholders collaborate on Feminine Issues

By Web News 854

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, in partnership with Ondo State Ministry of Information And Orientation held a one-day review meeting with Stakeholders on UNICEF’s radio programme entitled, “Facts for Life”.

Our correspondent reports that the event held in Ibadan x-rayed issues affecting women and the girl child as constantly been discussed on air.

The communication for Development Specialist for UNICEF in Akure field office, Mrs Caroline Akosile said the radio programme both in English and Yoruba have been able to reach the desired audience hence the need to review its content.

The Director, Orientation and Mobilization Ministry of Information Ondo State, Mr Bodunde Aladejimokun noted that the aim of the programme was to eradicate mortality and communicable diseases in the society.

Some of the participants, General Manger Voice F.M Akure, Mr. Donald Falaye, General Manger Positive F.M Akure, Mr. Tunde Abiodun and Director General Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Mrs. Adejumoke Akinjinola said they have benefited a lot from their partnership with UNICEF.

The participants said they have been able to fashion out ways to reach out to more audience through the review meeting

Lilian Ibomor

Health

Health: NOA Sensitizes Residents of Oyo Town

By Web News 839

Oyo State Directorate of National Orientation Agency, NOA has organized a sensitization programme for residents of Oyo town on the need to practice basic healthy lifestyle. 

At the enlightenment programme held with the support of the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, the NOA State Director, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu solicited the cooperation of traditional institutions and religious leaders in the state to champion the advocacy for healthy living practices among residents.

Mrs Dosunmu while reiterating that the role of traditional and religious leaders in the African settings cannot be overemphasized; said the advocacy meeting was targeted at re-orientating and informing various leaders of groups on the importance of healthy living with a view to encouraging them pass across the messages to their followers. 

One of the religious leaders, Retired Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu lauded the National Orientation Agency for the initiative, saying it would go a long way in reshaping the healthy lifestyle of residents of Oyo town. 

Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu also enjoined residents to take cognizance of basic healthy practices like hand washing, sanitation, and healthy eating practices for proper growth and safe environment. 

The event had in attendance large turnout of stakeholders in the health sector, government officials, traditional and religious leaders as well as representative from all local government in Oyo central senatorial district.

Mosope Kehinde