From James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
Wife of Ogun state governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has described as unacceptable the high rate of maternal mortality in the country, calling on stakeholders to put machinery in motion to reverse the trend.
Mrs. Amosun made the call at the weekend in Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside local government Area of the State during the flag-off of the 1st Round of National Immunization plus Days for 2014 and the launch of the Uplifting Safe Motherhood Initiative.
She said the present maternal mortality rate which stood at 245 in every 1,000 births called for concern by all, emphasising that the time is now to work towards bringing down the figure.
She therefore pledged the readiness of her pet project, the “Uplifting Foundation” to support all programmes and activities capable of improving the health of children and mothers in the State.
She noted that the Uplifting Safe Motherhood Initiative being launched was a step in eradicating the menace pointing out that it would help and contribute its quota to all efforts meant towards reducing the prevalence to the barest minimum.
“More efforts should be intensified to create awareness on the importance of Immunization and Maternal mortality caused from pregnancy related complications”, she charged.
On his part, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka said the state had improved tremendously in routine and supplementary immunization; he however maintained that the tempo should be sustained to enhance the health status of children.
