Determined to improve the health status of its citizenry, Ogun State Government says it will continue to support initiatives geared towards reducing maternal mortality and child morbidity rate.                                             

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, gave the assurance in Ijebu-Ode, while declaring open train the trainers for the institutionalisation of the Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition course, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Bank saying caregivers and relevant stakeholders should be exposed to global best practices on nutrition, which would serve as one of the basic determinants of good health.               

"Over two-thirds of malnutrition-related deaths occur in the first year of life which is often associated with inappropriate feeding practices", she said.

The Commissioner charged all frontline health workers, who interface with mothers and children to provide accurate information to households on positive impact of optimal maternal and young child nutrition, in order to significantly reduce malnutrition.

Speaking, Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Development Board (PHDB) in the state, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola tasked participants to go into the communities for proper enlightenment on nutrition, urging them to see the training as an opportunity to improve their skills in service delivery in their respective areas.  

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the World Bank Accelerating Result Nutrition in Nigeria (ANRiN), Hajia Hauwa Usman; Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Muheez Seun and the South-West Zonal Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Rotimi Oyewole, appreciated the state government for its unwavering support at ensuring adequate capacity building for health workers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Coker has flagged-off a medical outreach put together by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Agape Zonal headquarters, Ikenne Remo, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Commissioner encouraged people to embrace the Health Insurance Scheme, to enable them access adequate care at any government health facility.

Highlight of the event was free health insurance for aged from 65 years and above, as well as free eye glasses provided by the state government.