FG to implement health system on Malaria, RMNCAH+N
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on National Malaria – Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N). The Group would ensure that Malaria with Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition Interventions are implemented in an integrated manner that would provide useful input and benefit to the Nigerian Health System.
Speaking recently in Abuja, the Hon.. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi, informed that ‘’ this action has become very imperative giving the fact that our Maternal, Newborn and Child Health indices have not greatly improved as expected despite several inputs by Government and Partners.
He further said that ‘’ a critical analysis of the Maternal ,Newborn and Child Health landscape by the Government and Partner revealed weak coordination among stakeholders, an important factor that may be partly responsible for this poor outcomes’’, he added.
The Minister noted that ‘’ these findings called for renewed efforts by Government and Stakeholders to put in place all-inclusive structure that would allow effective stakeholders engagements and lead to the establishment of the National Malaria – RMNCAH+N TWG’’.
He added that ‘’the Global Community has identified that effective integration of Health Intervention with routine service delivery is necessary to improve the coverage equity and quality of health interventions’’.
He tasked the Group to be committed and show leadership for all health interventions and guarantee inclusion of a broader base of stakeholders to ensure its smooth coordination.
To this end, the Minister pointed out the Goals of the TWG to include: Strengthen Coordination between Malaria and RMNCH+N programs, Mobilize and Leverage existing resources to increase demand and uptake of Malaria and RMNCH Services and improve quality of Malaria related RMNCH+N Services.
In her opening remarks, the Director, Department of Family Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, who Co- Chaired the Group said ‘’Malaria is a major Public Health problem in Nigeria and it is no respecter of age’’. Fortunately, the FMOH is leading the Health Sector in the integration of high impact intervention along the life course – from conception to old age, she added.
In her Goodwill message, a Representative of WHO, Nigeria Office, Dr. Lydia Ozor, pledged continuous collaboration with FMOH for better coordination and oversight towards improving Nigeria’s Monitoring and Tracking of activities concerning Malaria/ Mother and Child Mortality.
Mrs. Boade Akinola
Director, Media and PR
