Lagos govt launches campaign against child, maternal deaths

The Lagos State government, through its Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Mamaye Evidence for Action (E4A) has launched the Mamaye campaign against maternal and newborn child deaths in the state. At the programme launch in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration was passionate about the survival of […]

The Lagos State government, through its Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Mamaye Evidence for Action (E4A) has launched the Mamaye campaign against maternal and newborn child deaths in the state.

At the programme launch in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration was passionate about the survival of mothers and children, thus the decision to collaborate with Mamaye and other private organisations involved in the mission. 

Idris who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, restated the importance of antenatal care for pregnant women to prevent complications and maternal deaths.

 “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 the government facility, we have well trained personnel who will attend to various issues that may arise during delivery. An example  is the establishment of mother and child centres called the MCC, which are well equipped with well trained staff, obstetricians, paediatricians and seasoned midwives,” the commissioner said.

 The Country Director, Mamaye Evidence for Action, Dr. Tunde Segun, said that the Mamaye Evidence for Action is a lifesaving project  aimed at improving maternal and newborn survival in six sub-Saharan countries.

“We want mothers and babies to be alive. 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 has a different sphere of influence. We have looked at people that are doing very well.

 “It is a campaign initiated by Evidence for Action, a programme which aims to improve maternal and newborn survival in sub-Saharan Africa. 

“Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it focuses on using a strategic combination of evidence, advocacy and accountability to save lives in Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania,” Segun said.

The launch also witnessed award of recognition to personalities considered to have worked greatly to influence the campaign positively.