New deal for women & children in Taraba, Nasarawa

From the Nation:

THE health of women and children has come under focus across the country. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with state governments, is seeking to reduce deaths among pregnant women and children under age five.

Expectant mothers and even those breastfeeding have been receiving medications to boost their health and that of their children. Newborns too have been getting inoculation against the deadly poliomyelitis. The one-week programme has been successful in both Taraba and Nasarawa states.

Apart from Vitamin A supplements administered on children from zero to 59 months (that is, below five years) to de-worm them against killer diseases, the kids were also given OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine to protect them against poliomyelitis. For ante-natal care, pregnant women were given fersolate, folic acid (ion tablets) and Tetanux Toxoid (TT) to increase their haemoglobin (blood) that would sustain them during childbirth, in case of huge blood loss. The programme also featured health education on key care practices such as breastfeeding and hand-washing.

The entire 16 local government areas of Taraba benefitted from the free healthcare programme, also known as “Maternal and Child Survival Week.”