There is the urgent need for governments of Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo to begin to adopt all necessary strategies to strengthen their health system towards reducing the high rate of Infant and child mortality.
This call is sequel to the 2021 MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURYEY (MICS) which ranks the three states high with cases of infant and child mortality in the southwest.
Though, governments of these states have introduced various meaningful health programmes, much more still needed to be done to save the lives of new born babies.
According to statistics obtained from the MIC survey, between three and four children die within one month of delivery in Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo a figure experts described as worrisome.
The survey was conducted by bureau of statistics supported by UNICEF and World Bank.
Speaking during a two day media dialogue on the 2021 MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURYEY (MIS) organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF in partnership with NOA Lagos office, a health specialist with UNICEF, Dr. Ijeoma Agbo urged journalists to support government to create more awareness over child right issues..
She also called for improved awareness on the need for expectant mothers to patronize health care facilities rather than faith based clinics which is a major factor responsible for the high mortality rate..
Also in his presentation, one of the UNICEF M4R specialists, Oluwasola Olanipekun affirmed that 21% of children in southwest are delivered outside health facilities which he said contributed to child mortality.
Speaking on child marriage, Olanipekun also rate Ekiti high saying that one out of ten girls get married before age of fifteen and three out of ten boys get married before eighteen.
Over Seventy journalists drawn from different media organizations across the southwest of Nigeria are currently participating in the two day media dialogue which is taking place at the Kakanfo Conference Centre, Ibadan Oyo State.
The training is organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, Lagos Office in partnership with the National Orientation Agency NOA Lagos State.
Addressing the gathering earlier, the Communication
Officer, United Nations International Children’s Fund UNICEF, Blessing Ejiofor, said the importance of data in reporting could not be over emphasized.
According to her, the objective of the workshop is to share with media the result of the most recent survey which would assist them to report and analyze the situation of children and women in South West Nigeria in an informed way that would be convincing to the public.
She noted that UNICEF expects journalist to work on data driven stories and reports that highlights challenges faced by children and women in the society.
Also speaking the Director National Orientation Agency NOA Lagos, Dr. Waheed Isola welcomed participants and urged them to pay rapt attention so as to be armed with facts and figure needed in the reportage of issues affecting children and women.
The workshop is expected to be rounded off on Friday.
