The Anambra State Government in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund will, starting from March 1, offer free medical services for nursing mothers and children affected by the 2022 flood.
Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Tuesday in Awka, at a training for healthcare workers on integrated primary healthcare service delivery with a focus on sexual and reproductive health.
Obidike said that the free medical services for the nursing mothers would take place in 10 Local Government Areas affected by the flood.
He said the LGAs included Ayamelum, Awka North, Ekwusigo, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Orumba North, Orumba South, Onitsha North, and Ihiala.
“The Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF has put in place all necessary health materials to commence free medical healthcare services for nursing mothers affected by the flood.
“This programme is targeted mostly at nursing mothers who were pregnant during the 2022 flooding.
“A total of 560 healthcare workers are being trained to carry out the medical outreach slated to commence on March 1,” he said.
The Commissioner said the training would assist health workers to improve their practical skills required for advanced care required for neo-natal emergency resuscitation methods and stimulation to breathe.
While appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo for investing in the project to improve maternal and infant health in the state, Obidike urged the affected mothers to access healthcare services at their LGAs free of charge.
Also speaking, Dr. Uju Okoye, Reproductive Health Coordinator, Anambra, said that the health outreach was to ameliorate the worries of the affected nursing mothers and their children.
Okoye said that UNICEF had procured all the essential drugs including mama kits also known as delivery kits for free humanitarian services.
According to her, the state government is committed to ensuring that those affected by the flood, especially nursing mothers and their children, regain a quality standard of life.
In her lecture, Dr. Obinna Ajaegbu, a Paediatrician, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, told the health workers to stress more about six months of exclusive breastfeeding to prevent childhood diseases.
He also tutored them on the assessment of newborns, physical examination, temperature monitoring, weight control, and how identifying abnormal situations and danger signs during postnatal care.
