ROTARY INTERNATIONAL TRAINS 20 JOURNALISTS IN NASARAWA STATE ON REPRODUCTIVE, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH (RMCH).

By Mary Ojiji.

Efforts to improve re-productive, maternal, and child health are gaining momentum globally, with recent initiatives focusing on reducing maternal mortality rates and enhancing access to prenatal and post natal care. This was a major point of discussion at a 3 day workshop for health reporters in the state held at Kini country guest Inn, Akwanga, organized by Rotary International in collaboration with Nasarawa State Ministry of Health.

In his remark, Prof. Emmanuel Adedolapo Lufadeju, National Coordinator/Country Director Rotary International, Nigeria, presented by the Programs Manager, Toyosi Adebambo, said, The programme is designed for journalists with a demonstrated interest in health and population issues. Its purpose is to promote accurate, knowledgeable, enterprising and investigative reporting, also through their country wide reports which will contribute to the realization of reduced maternal and infant deaths resulting from pregnancy and child birth complications, as well as promote the use of web-based electronic data management in Nigeria.

Rotn. Elvis Chukwu, the Past District Governor (PDG) of district 9125 in charge of the Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) project in Nasarawa state, said the workshop is meant to promote health activities in the state and country.

Mr Chukwu added that the project is most importantly aimed at pregnant women, as no woman should die due to pregnancy and everyone in the family is involved in her well-being.
“For a woman to get pregnant shouldn’t be a death sentence, this is what Rotary International is trying to curb, it is equally important we carry our Men, husband and brothers along into the project because they also have a role to play, when they are able to allow their wives to space their children, the better for them as our economy situation is not too favorable that you can keep having children year in year out“.

Nurse Asheadzi Ezekiel Maidawa, the state Midwife for Rotary RMCH Together for healthy Families in Nigeria program, said one of the major goals is to reduce mother and child mortality by 25% by using various platforms. She also spoke on some of the dangers associated with giving birth at home by some pregnant women through Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA). “There are so many risk attached to home delivery few among which are the possible risk of post partum haemorrhage, which is heavy bleeding, secondly if there’s prolonged labour, the baby can come out severely asphyxiated, that is very tired and unable to breathe well so those people conducting at home, would lack the knowledge of how to make sure the baby comes out of that condition without any possible effects that could come up in the future, also the issue of advice on postpartum care, exclusive breastfeeding and vaccination. Most times, the TBAs lack the experiences to advice adequately on the need for these women to return back so that follow up care can be given”

At the end of the workshop, the NUJ secretary in Nasarawa state, Mr Sunday John and NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs Hadiza Lamido, who were also participants at the workshop expressed satisfaction over how much knowledge they have gained and how they intend to use it to sensitize the public on RMCH.