Nigeria: Kwali Flags Off Maternal Newborn And Child Health Week

Kwali area council on Tuesday launched its Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), aimed at creating a lifetime package for the better health of families in the council.

Wife of Kwali area council chairman, Saratu Joseph Shazim Kwali, who flagged off the week's activities, urged the women to make it a duty to visit the hospitals, always bearing in mind that there were illnesses that could not be easily detected except through medical examination.

"I am pleading with you to come to our health clinic to take care of your health. I advise you to always come for check- ups. There are health conditions that cause sudden death which cannot be known unless you visit the hospital. We should also take care of our husbands and children. Our children are our future and it is only a healthy and sound child that can give us that joyful future we all want," she said.

Also speaking, the head of the Health and Human Services Department of the council, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu, said that the MNCH Week, which is held twice a year, is aimed at helping to boost healthy living for the people, especially the underprivileged in the council.

While explaining to the women the reason why they should keep themselves healthy at all times, the coordinator of the event, Aishatu Osaron, stated that the area council had a standard clinic, qualified midwives and health workers, as well as good facilities but that the women could not enjoy these if they did not come to the hospital.

Also speaking, the district head of the area, Mohammed Diko commended the government for the initiative, noting that healthy living was very important.

The MNCHW which started on June 11, 2011 would deliberate on issues of nutrition screening, antenatal care, newborn care, immunisation, hand washing, de-worming and the administration of Vitamin C.

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