The Anambra State Government has expressed its readiness to have about 2.6 million persons immunised during this year’s first round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) starting today in many health facilities across the state.

Addressing Journalists in Awka over the weekend, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, said that the campaign would be targeted at 275,606 pregnant women, 1,212,666 women of child bearing age, 992,181 children of age six to 59 months who would be supplemented with Vitamin A and 220,485 children of age 0 to 11 months.

He also noted that children of nine months of age would be vaccinated against measles and yellow fever, while pregnant women of child bearing age would be administered with Tetanus Toxide (TT).

While explaining that the routine exercise was aimed at fighting diseases generally in the state, Akabuike said the flag off of the exercise would take place at Abba in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

He described the annual maternal death of 545,000 Nigerian women as unacceptable; saying that the government was working round the round the clock to reduce it.

He said, “Our overall goal is to reduce neonatal, maternal and child morbidity and mortality and that is why government is spending enormous resources to embark on the routine immunisation exercise.

Akabuike, who received doses of Vitamin supplements from Positive Thinkers Club of Nigeria (PTCN), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) said nutrition screening and counseling for malnourished children, de-warming of children, antenatal care, birth preparedness and complication readiness for pregnant mothers and care of the newborn, would form part of the weeklong exercise.

He further disclosed that information would be given on HIV prevention among young people and women; while long lasting insecticide treated nets to prevent malaria would also be distributed.

The commissioner added that parents and guardians would be educated on management of childhood illnesses, while demonstration of proper hand-washing and birth registration would follow.

•Photo shows Anambra Governor Willie Obiano.

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