MNCAH WEEK:Stop patronizing quacks,Lagos First Lady cautions pregnant mothers



The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has cautioned pregnant and nursing mothers from patronizing quack health workers saying doing so is too risky for the mother and the unborn child.

She stated this during the flags-off the Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) Week held at the Ejigbo Local Council Area under the leadership of Alhaji Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello.

The 2020 MNCAH Week, which would run between Monday the 5th and Friday 9th October, 2020,  is aimed at reminding us to take good care of our health, and publicizing the free health services available to the vulnerable people, as well as celebrate lives and focus on the health of Lagosians. 

The week long activity would be held simultaneously across all Primary Health Care (PHC) Clinics and designated areas in Lagos State.

Popularly referred to as "Mother of twenty million and more", the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, explained that the event was initially focused on mothers and children, but this time around,  the State Government is extending the benefits to young adults.

 She stated some of the benefits of the week-long event, and encouraged all and sundry to spread the word, so that a large number of people would enjoy the benefits.

The First Lady discouraged patronage of quack health officials, as well as traditional birth attendants asking nursing and pregnant mothers to patronage established government health facilities.

"It is sad to note that a lot of our expectant mothers still patronise quacks who claim to be Traditional Birth Attendants, while illegally practising orthodox medicine.

 These quacks do nothing but to add sorrow to our people by killing their newborns, pregnant teenage girls, under-five children and even expectant mothers who patronise them for treatment, delivery and illegal termination of pregnancies".

To the residents of the Local Council, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu stated that cases have been made to Mr. Governor in order to repair some of the bad roads and make movement easier for people.

Representing the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Olusegun Ogboye, appreciated the Ejigbo LCDA Chairman for making the flag-off ceremony a success. 

He further made it known that  all health facilities will be opened for consultation and services for all mothers, children under the age of five and adolescent boys and girls free of charge during the MNCAH week.

On his part, the representative of the United Nations body in Lagos State, Mr. Omoseyin Omotosho, encouraged all, especially mothers, that pregnancy should be by choice, not by chance, hence Family Planning should be taken seriously.

In his speech, the Council Boss stated that "strengthening of the Primary Health Care (PHC) system, not just the PHC Clinics, is the surest way to attain the Universal Health Coverages and also accelerate the targets set for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030".

In the last 1080 days, the OBE-led administration in partnership with the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative has commissioned Family Planning Equipment at Moshalashi and Jakande PHCs. The LCDA has also renovated and equipped the Moshalashi PHC for more optimal and effective performance. 

In order to increase the quality of affordable health care, the Bucknor PHC was also constructed.
Ejigbo LCDA has also embarked on various health programmes such as: Deworming of all school children within the LCDA, free treatment of Malaria, Typhoid and other prevalent ailments, National Immunization Plus Days, Material Newborn Child Health Week, Hypertension and Diabetes Screening, Yearly Breastfeeding Week, Free HIV/

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