Oyo traditional council stands for child health

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Saliu Adetunji, has backed a partnership with women’s groups to enhance advocacy in child and family health in Oyo state. Speaking during a media dialogue organised by the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), the […]

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Saliu Adetunji, has backed a partnership with women’s groups to enhance advocacy in child and family health in Oyo state.

Speaking during a media dialogue organised by the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), the traditional ruler promised to leverage on the existing functional platforms like the 11 local traditional chiefs in the kingdom to spread advocacy message and awareness on child and family health across communities.

“Family planning, routine immunisation, nutrition and treatment of childhood killer diseases remain paramount to the healthy living and well-being of our people,” the ruler said in a statement obtained by Daily Trust.

“In terms of awareness creation and proper orientation, this Council will maximally utilise the existing institution like the traditional chiefs who have been designated to report to the Council on health-related issues as it affects their communities.

“This Council will collaborate with PACFaH to ensure extensive awareness across the 11 local councils on the identified issues in child and family health. We are also aware that adequate budgetary allocation to health care remains the priority of the state government.”

At least 20,000 children die before age five in Oyo state, out of 235, 000 annual live births, many due to pneumonia and diarrhoea, according to the National Demographic Health Survey.

Farida Sada Yusuf, project director, FOMWAN-PACFaH, said the major reason for these preventable deaths is “poor access to health care, especially in the rural areas.

“This situation can be effectively addressed through availability of the recommended [Amoxicillin dispersible tablets and Zinc low-osmolarity oral rehydration salt] for treatment of childhood killer diseases (pneumonia and diarrhoea),”she explained.

Also, during the dialogue, Reverend Benjamin Akanmu, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State Chapter assured  appropriate effort will be made to sensitise the Christian communities in the state on importance of maternal and child nutrition. “We will not relax. We will keep on sensitising the Christian communities on the impacts of maternal and child nutrition,” Akanmu said.

Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyu Abubakar opined that adequate attention should be accorded women and children by all Muslim communities for their important role in the development of any society, adding that breastfeeding and adequate nutrition status are crucial to the effective mental and physical development of the children.