She made the call during this year’s edition of the Safe Motherhood Day celebration which took place at the premises of the Mother and Child Hospital Akure on May 22, 2012. Mrs Mimiko stated that the essence of the Safe Motherhood Day Celebration nation-wide is to review the Mother and Child health programmes of the various state governments to know their efficiency.She noted that government already knows its roles in the care of mothers and children calling on other stakeholders such as pregnant woman herself and her family members to do the right thing during pregnancy
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She counselled people not to neglect pregnant women around them saying that the welfare of the pregnant woman should be the concern of all and sundry. She described women as the pillars of the society calling on pregnant women to take time to rest, feed well and register for ante-natal care during pregnancy. She counseled women not to handle cases of severe headache during pregnancy (ecclamsia) with levity saying that it could lead to death if not well managed.
Mrs. Mimiko who appreciated the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for the provision of qualitative health facilities for mothers and their children said that government is passionate about the safety of mothers and children.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju said that the state government will not relent in its effort to provide qualitative health care for the people of the state. The Commissioner who reiterated government’s commitment to the survival of mothers and child described this year’s celebration as timely and important. He noted that government will do everything humanly possible to reduce maternal mortality come 2015 which is the time live for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He commended the present administration for its revolutionary programmes in the health sector saying from its poor health indices, the state has become the bench mark in the health sector across the continent of Africa.
Earlier, the state chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Mrs Tope Fasuyi said women journalists are committed to all women oriented programmes in the state. She admonished women to use their position to ensure that there is peace and tranqility during the forthcoming election as mothers.
The World health Repesentative (WHO) Dr. Sunday Abidoye called on mothers to make use of what is been provided for them adding that the state government has been surportive in its immunisation programme.
He said the health facilities provided for them are not for animals adding that they should maximise their opportunities.
This year’s Safe Motherhood day was facilitated by Ondo state Ministry of health in collaboration with the Maternal Pulse Foundation and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The event also featured the presentation of MPF CDs for pregnant women, birth kits, drugs for children and other products courtesy of the MPF .
