Ekiti determined to reduce infant mortality rate

By Olubunmi Alao

Flags off Second Round of Child Health Week

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has restated the determination of the state government to the reduction of child mortality rate and also improve the health status of women of childbearing age.

Dr. Oyebanji who disclosed this on Monday at the flag-off of the second round of the 2023 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week urged women of childbearing age to take advantage of the programme which runs till Friday in all government health facilities and some designated places.

The Governor’s wife who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, revealed that during the exercise, deworming tablets and vitamins supplements will be administered to our children between ages 6 and 59 months.

She added that pregnant women will have access to HIV screening services and medicinal items such as SP Folate and other health care commodities noting that all these interventions are not only free, they are safe and effective.

Dr. Oyebanji acknowledged with deep sense of appreciation, the concerted efforts and contribution of Ekiti Health Workers and the State Committee for Food and Nutrition in improving the maternal and child survival in the State noting that History will, no doubt, be kind to them.

According to her, the Administration has carried out various interventions in the health sector since its inauguration in October 16, 2022 expressing confidence that the enduring interventions in the health sector will, in no small measure, help in reducing maternal and child mortality and also improve the health and wellness of the good people of Ekiti State.

The First Lady who stressed the irrevocable commitment of the Governor Oyebanji led Administration to the wellness, health and wellbeing of the people of the state pointed out that the revamping of the health sub-sector was aimed at providing access to to quality healthcare delivery and engendering a healthy population.

She said: “It is instructive to note that the present Administration is irrevocably committed to the wellness, health and well-being of the good people of the State. This informs the top priority the present administration places on the Health Sector.

“To further demonstrate this, the health sub-sector is made a major component of the Human Capital Development, which is one of the Six Pillars of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji-led administration. The objective is to provide qualitative, affordable and accessible health care delivery to the good people of Ekiti State.

“This good gesture has been further demonstrated by the various transformations in the health sector in Ekiti State. Put succinctly, the present Administration has equipped our various primary and secondary health facilities in Ekiti State among which are the Specialist Hospitals at Ikere, Ikole and Ijero, General Hospital at Emure Ekiti, and Primary Health Facilities across the three Senatorial districts.”

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; the Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Komolafe; Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani; Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo and Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Tayo Adeola.

The event was attended by the President, League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello; Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Kayode Olabanji; senior bureaucrats in the health sector, market women, nursing mothers and their kids.