24th June, 2013
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, says the state government is determined to stem maternal and child mortality in the state, which is why government is holding Town Hall meetings across the state to sensitise and educate residents.
The state government on Thursday held a Town Hall meeting in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria to sensitise pregnant women and mothers on the need to use the modern facilities provided for them at the Primary Healthcare Centres, PHCs and General Hospitals in order to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Idris explained that the Lagos West II Senatorial District Town Hall meeting at Amuwo Odofin is aimed at enlightening people of these areas on the importance of their roles in maternal and child mortality reduction.
He added that the town hall meeting which is part of the public enlightenment campaign arm of the maternal and child mortality reduction programme would also help to furnish government with firsthand feedback on the strength and weakness of the programme and other maternal and child health issues.
According to the commissioner, the need for interaction with the people at the grassroots could not be overemphasized in view of the need to address grey issues and involve the people in the implementation of the programme to achieve the desired result, as they have crucial roles to play in the success of the campaign.
Commenting, wife of the Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola at the event said “the town hall meeting is initiated to educate women in particular on the various efforts that are being taken at the state level to make the process of pregnancy and child delivery safe. These facilities belong to all of us. I am pleading with you to use them to preserve the lives of our children and also to ensure that no woman loses her life in the process of giving birth.”