The federal government has launched the Nigeria Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent and Elderly Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) platform as part of it’s plan to reduce maternal mortality.
According to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire,this platform aims to improve the well-being of women, children, adolescents and elderly in Nigeria.
At the launch on Monday, he mentioned that the challenges of the country’s health system are multidimensional and require an integrated, multi-sectoral approach and also investing in the health of women and children will go along way in the development of the country
Ehanire complained that the country’s health indices are unacceptably poor “Our health indices are unacceptably poor and there are emerging issues around gender, public health emergencies and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
He said , “Maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 1000 live births, Under-five mortality rate of 132 per 1000 live births and neonatal mortality rate of 39 per 1000 live births”.
Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country representative, in his remark, said the development shows the commitment and hope that Nigeria will be among the countries who will be able to reduce women and child mortality by 2030.
Also appreciating the level of commitment from the governors of the states, Mr Mulombo assured the government of “WHO’s continual support to the government, the state governors, to make sure that all together we meet the target and overcome based on the partnership”.
