Franka Osakwe
Lagos state Ministry of Health in collaboration with Mamaye Evidence for Action (E4A), a programme which aims to improve maternal and newborn survival in six sub-Saharan countries, have launched the MamaYe campaign against maternal and newborn child death in the state.
The campaign launch which took place last week at LTV Lagos auditorium, also recognized and awarded some distinguished individuals, for their advocacy effort in issues of maternal and newborn health campaign in Lagos state.
In his speech, The Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, explained that the ministry of health is passionate about survival of mothers and children during pregnancy, hence the collaborating with Mamaye and other private organization on maternal and newborn child health.
The commissioner, who was represented by Director Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos Ministry of Health, Dr. Folashade Oludara, appealed to pregnant women to go for antenatal early to avoid complications and maternal death.
“Lagos Government is advocating that pregnant women should go to antenatal clinic as soon as they notice that they are pregnant and come for regular antenatal clinic at government accredited facility including the government own facilities. At governmet facility, we have well trained personnel that will attend to various maternal issue that may arise during delivery. The example of such is the establishment of mother and child centers called the MCC, which is well equipped with well trained staff, obstetricians, pediatricians and well-seasoned midwifes”, he said.
Explaining about the program and the award, The Country Director, Mamaye Evidence for Action, Dr. Tunde Segun, said Mamaye Evidence for Action is a lifesaving project.
“We want mothers and babies to be alive when giving birth. Everybody can be involved in achieving this. We look at different categories, we have health care providers, community people and the media. Each of these have different spheres of influence. We have look at people that are doing extraordinary well.
“What resonated among all the awardees was that they were using their personal resources to ensure that mothers and child don’t die because Mamaye don’t believe celebrating people because they have position. We are hoping that Lagos sate government will use this kind of platform to celebrate health care providers.
Mamaye is a campaign initiated by Evidence for Action, a multi-year programme which aims to improve maternal and newborn survival in sub-Saharan Africa. Funded by Bill and Melinda Gates. it focuses on using a strategic combination of evidence, advocacy and accountability to save lives in Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania”, he noted.
The awardees include; CMD, Lagos Island Maternity, Dr. Imosemi Donald; Founder, Child Health Initiative, Mrs Ololade Alonge; Health Journalist and former National Mirror Correspondent, Franka Osakwe; TV Continental health presenter, Habiba Mobolaji Basanya; Community Mobiliser, Chief Mrs. Oroja Giwa; and A Midwife, Mrs. Morili Lola Faboya.
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