NAN-HG-12
Society
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, June 22, 2017 (NAN) The Society for Family Health (SFH), an NGO, says there is need for increased community health care delivery advocacy to enhance mother and child survival.
Mrs Bolanle Oyebola, Deputy Director, Maternal and Child Health, SFH, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
She said: “improving the well-being of mothers, infants and children is an important public health goal.
“Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help prevent future public health challenges for families, communities and the health care system.
“Communities need to mobilise resources to support mother and child survival through Community Emergency Fund and Emergency Transport Volunteers Scheme.’’
According to her, community and religious leaders can help improve mother and child survival by promoting health seeking behaviours.
Oyebola said community leaders also need to educate and give social approval for the maternal, new-born and child health, noting that it will help in the protection of the rights of women and girls.
“Every year, about one out of every 20 women who delivers a live baby in Nigeria dies due to problems associated with pregnancy and child birth.
“There is need to strengthen sensitisation on causes and risk factors of maternal death.
“Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy can also stop many of these deaths,’’ she said. (NAN)
OEO/VIV/EAL
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Ekemini Ladejobi