The Lagos State Government, through Health District III, has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling malnutrition and improving maternal and child healthcare outcomes with the distribution of essential healthcare commodities to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Ibeju-Lekki, Eti-Osa and Epe.
Speaking during the distribution exercise held on Thursday at the District Headquarters in Ikoyi, the Permanent Secretary, Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, said the district had recorded significant progress in the fight against child malnutrition through its quarterly nutrition intervention programme.
Adeleke disclosed that the prevalence of wasting among children in the district had dropped from 15 per cent to eight per cent, attributing the improvement to sustained government support, regular nutrition screening and effective community-based interventions.
She explained that nutrition officers at the PHCs would continue to conduct food demonstration classes for mothers and caregivers using the cooking utensils provided under the programme.
The Permanent Secretary also said the district was intensifying efforts to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening the prevention and management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH).
According to her, calibrated obstetric drapes were being distributed to PHCs to enable healthcare workers to accurately measure blood loss, facilitate prompt diagnosis and improve emergency management of PPH.
Adeleke further emphasised the importance of family planning in promoting healthy birth spacing, improving maternal health and ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and children.
She urged residents to adopt better health-seeking behaviours by visiting their nearest PHCs and taking advantage of the lifesaving services available at the facilities.
“I am calling on residents to improve their health-seeking behaviour by visiting the nearest PHC to access these lifesaving services and to take full advantage of the comprehensive services available at PHCs because the facilities now provide quality, affordable and people-centred healthcare in line with global best practices,” she said.
Responding, the Apex Nurse of Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Nurse Eunice Shofolahan, appreciated the state government for its sustained efforts towards improving healthcare delivery to residents.
Shofolahan pledged that healthcare workers would ensure the judicious use of the equipment and commodities provided.
The commodities distributed included family planning commodities and consumables, cooking utensils for nutrition food demonstration classes, and calibrated obstetric drapes for the prevention and management of Postpartum Haemorrhage.
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