••Flags-Off 2nd Phase Of 2024 Maternal, Newborn, Child Healthcare Week••
The Vice Chairman of Degema Local Government Area and Supervisor for Health, Hon. Mrs. Ibimina Jaja, has cautioned mothers of the LGA against patronizing the services of traditional birth attendants, in order for their own safety.
The Vice Chairman gave the charge, Tuesday, during the flag-off ceremony of the 2nd Phase of the 2024 Maternal, Newborn and Child Healthcare Week, which held at the Model Primary Healthcare Centre in Obuama.
Mrs. Jaja who highlighted the importance of early registration and follow-up of all pregnant mothers at the various government healthcare facilities, lamented that dozens of pregnant women die unfortunately from avoidable complications in traditional delivery homes, due to quackery, lack of basic necessities and obsolete cultural practices.
“If you register at the health centres, the doctors and nurses will follow you up until you deliver safely.
“The doctors will know on time if you are to have a vaginal birth or through Caesarean Section (CS) and they will make adequate preparation ahead of time.
“But when you go to these traditional birth attendants, that is when you will see all these avoidable incidences,” she said.
The Vice Chairman restated the commitment of the administration of Hon. Dr. Agiriye Monima Harry to ensure that the people of Degema LGA were in good health, adding that the administration is taking adequate measures to improve the health sector, calling on Degema people to take advantage of the many on-going healthcare schemes.
Mrs. Jaja emphasized that the services at the various health centres were free of charge, urging the people to report any official that demands money from them when they go to access the facilities.
On his part, a community leader, Chief Tonye Crawford Harry commended the Vice Chairman and the Council Boss for their synergy, describing it as unprecedented.
Chief Harry, who thanked the Chairman and his team for bringing quality healthcare to the people at the grassroots, noted that the Council Chairman being a medical expert, has given priority to the sector, calling on residents to make good use of the opportunities available at the various health centres.
The programme, which targets pregnant women, mothers, children, newborn and caregivers, was jointly sponsored by the Rivers State Healthcare Management Board and Degema Local Government Council.
