Mrs. Sanwo-Olu launches 2024 Health Week, promises free care for 5m Lagos kids

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, yesterday officially flagged off the Y2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCAH+N) Week  at the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area.

The MNCAH+N Week is an initiative dedicated to promoting the well-being and survival of women and children, emphasizing the importance of practising good health-seeking behaviours.

Speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Sanwo-Olu explained that the MNCAH+N Week remains a symbolic event in Lagos State, serving as a reminder that good health practices are essential to longevity and that the survival of a child is closely tied to adequate nutrition.

“We are all aware that a baby’s survival is closely tied to adequate nutrition, which must begin at birth and continue with the introduction of complementary foods from 6 months until 2 years. After this period, the child will transition to adult meals,” she said.

She disclosed that the week, scheduled to run from Monday, 12th August to Friday, 16th August 2024, offers an opportunity for caregivers to update all essential life-saving services that may have been missed for various reasons. She added that the week is targeted at reaching over 5 million children under the age of 5 with essential services, including Routine Immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, Deworming, Growth Monitoring, Malnutrition Screening, and the management of malnourished children, among others.

“This MNCAH+N Week, running from today, August 12th, to Friday, August 16th, 2024, offers an opportunity for caregivers to update all essential life-saving services that may have been missed for various reasons. Over 5 million children under the age of five years living in our State will be reached with essential services, including Routine Immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, Deworming, Growth Monitoring, Malnutrition Screening, and the management of malnourished children, among others,” she said.

A mother receives a gift from Mrs Sanwo-Olu.

While reiterating the commitment of the present administration to reducing maternal and child mortality in the state, the wife of the Governor further stated that the State government has graciously declared free antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services for all pregnant women in state public hospitals.

She emphasized that the state government has zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence, adding that adolescents and youths in the state remain a priority during the week-long event.

She warned all perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence to desist from such acts before the law catches up with them. She also urged survivors of domestic violence in the state to use the toll-free line (08000-333-333) to report any incident for appropriate intervention.

“Let me reiterate that the State Government has zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence. I strongly advise perpetrators of these heinous acts to cease before the law catches up with them. Our adolescents and youths remain a priority during this week-long event, along with all survivors of sexual molestation and abuse by those who should be their protectors—fathers, uncles, stepfathers, brothers, neighbors, and teachers,” she said.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi restated the commitment of the present administration to attaining universal health coverage. She disclosed that during the last MNCAH+N Week, the state government was able to reach about 82% of children between the ages of 6 to 59 months with Vitamin A supplements, and about 74% of children between the ages of 12 to 59 months were dewormed.

Dr. Ogunyemi explained further that the Y2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Week is primarily targeted at creating more awareness about healthy living for mothers, preventing maternal and infant mortality, and emphasizing the importance of antenatal and postnatal care as well as educating women on proper family planning procedures.

“This is the Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Week. Basically, we just want to create more awareness about healthy living for our mothers. We are also trying to push mothers to realize the importance of antenatal care, family planning, and routine immunization when they deliver their babies,” she said.

Also, speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, stressed that the event, which is being flagged off in the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, is a state-wide program that will extend beyond the week in the provision of sustainable healthcare delivery to residents.

Dr. Ogboye urged all women to take advantage of the medical intervention as quality healthcare delivery will be provided at the doorsteps of residents at no cost. He, however, stressed that the provision of sustainable healthcare delivery extends beyond the week-long event.

“My advice to everyone is to take advantage of the free services being offered this week, as it is a state-wide event. These services will continue in our health facilities and primary healthcare centres beyond the week,” he said.

Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development, Hon. Muibi Alade Folawiyo commended the Lagos State Government’s commitment to providing sustainable healthcare delivery in the state. He assured that the local council, which is at the grassroots level, will not relent in its efforts to support government policies.