Enugu State International Partners on Health have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his passionate, visionary and supportive roles towards qualitative, efficient and affordable healthcare delivery in the state.

In their separate remarks at the flag-off of the first round of the 2017 Maternal, New Born and Child Health (MNCH) week, which was performed by the governor, the international partners noted that Enugu State has been playing its role effectively in the exercise, which is aimed at reducing the high maternal, newborn and child mortality rates in the state in particular and the country in general.

Speaking, the state Coordinator of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Onyinye Emefiena, said that Gov. Ugwuanyi has been ensuring that the routine immunisation for new born and children under five years is strictly adhered to and that the health of their mothers is guaranteed.

Dr. Ibrahim Conte, the UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu, stated that the organisation has under the present administration enjoyed tremendous goodwill and result-oriented partnership, which have resulted in the successes recorded in the state’s health sector.

Reaffirming their commitment to partner Enugu State Government in the eradication of polio through immunisation, Dr. Obinna Anikwe of Rotary Enugu State Polio Representative, District 9142, said: “We are proud of Gov. Ugwuanyi for showing commitment in the lives of children and mothers in Enugu State, through prompt immunisation of children and his free maternal and child health programme, which is yielding the desired result”.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Chinweike Ekochin, expressed delight at the Governor’s presence at the event, saying: “I am particularly happy with the event today as His Excellency makes himself available for this people-oriented programme”.

Gov. Ugwuanyi in his address stated that the programme was necessitated by the compelling need for his administration to focus attention on the unacceptably high maternal, newborn and child mortality rates in Nigeria and explore the most effective ways to address the challenge it poses to the whole society.

The governor said the vision was also in line with the strategy adopted in 2015 by the National Council on Health (NCH) – the highest decision making body on health matters in Nigeria – to combat the problem.

He added that the programme “is therefore, a week-long package of events intended to deliver an integrated plan of promotional and preventive services that are both cost effective and useful for improving maternal, new born and child health in the society.”

Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to the international partners, namely: NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, among others, for their continuing support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to “remit counterpart funds for health programmes and to generally, provide a conducive environment for the successful implementation of such programmes in Enugu State”.

“You will recall that in July 2015, just about a month or so after I was sworn into office, I made a commitment towards the Maternal and Child Health programme through the re-launch of the Free Maternal and Child Services in all public health facilities in the state.

“The State Government has since, continued to sustain this programme despite the current economic challenges facing the country and I wish to reassure the good people of Enugu State that we will continue to accord priority to all issues relating to their health and well being.

“I wish to thank all the medical health professionals and other workers in the health sector who have been working tirelessly to improve health care delivery especially as they relate to maternal and Child health in the state.”

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