Abuja — As part of the Federal Government's efforts to reverse the ugly trend in the maternal and child health, not less than 64 midwives have been deployed to four area councils in FCT.

Also in order to facilitate the attainment of MDGs 4 and 5, under Midwives Service Scheme, 2,488 midwives have been deployed to 652 primary health care facilities linked to 163 general hospitals in al the 36 states and FCT.

Disclosing this weekend at the briefing of midwives deployed in the states/FCT under the midwives service scheme, the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muhammad Ali, said the scheme was a quick intervention that will drastically reduce the high maternal and child deaths in the country.

His words, "We recognize this call up as the most critical success factor as it marks the official handing over of 64 midwives deployed to FCT and the signing of the MOU between the Agency, the secretaries of health and Area Council Services".

He, however, called on the FCT administration and the area councils to provide enabling environment for health care provision in all the facilities and communities selected for implementing the scheme.

"This should include accommodation for midwives, monthly supplementary allowances of not less than N10,000 to ensure uninterrupted supply of basic inputs, security and prospects of permanent employment at the end of the scheme", he added.

In his address, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCT, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, said, "in FCT, a cluster of 16 Primary Health Care facilities and 4 general hospitals have been selected from 4 area councils, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwai and Abaji for the take off.