Daily Trust (Abuja)
Ruby Rabiu
23 October 2009
Abuja — The Minister of Health Professor Babatunde Osotimehin has said Nigeria must meet the Millennium Development as a means to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality in the country.
Osotimehin spoke at the launch of a campaign on accelerated reduction on maternal mortality in Africa and global child survival initiative organised by the United Nations Population Fund .
The Minister said Nigeria's success to meet the health related targets of the MDGs would impact positively on the rest of African countries
He said "Global agreement under the MDGs states clearly the actions needed t to be taken o reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality.
"Nigeria has recognised and integrated this agreement into the integrated maternal newborn and child health strategy which is currently being rolled out to the 36 states and FCT, Abuja.
Among other interventions according to the minister are the establishment of additional blood transfusion centres and the take off of community based health insurance scheme in six states to cater for women and children.
Other measures, he said are the refurbishment of tertiary institutions, procurement of equipment of obstetric care, essential medicines and supplies for maternal newborn and child health care.
"We are making progress as reflected in the 2008 national demographic health survey report in the area of under five mortality rate 157 per 1000 live births, availability of skilled birth attendance at 39 per cent.
Resident representative of UNFPA in Nigeria, Dr. Agathe Lawson said the (AU) saw the need to initiate such a campaign as it represents "the renewed zeal and committment to reverse the negative trend of poor maternal health in Africa... for demonstrable and positive change".
On the way forward, she said among others, that "adequate budgetary provisions for maternal health and timely release of funds" are very paramount.
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