The goal is essentially to reduce maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and mortality in line with MDGs 4 & 5. It was developed out of the realization that most deaths and morbidities are occurring because we are failing to provide high impact and cost effective interventions (services) to the majority of mothers and children.
With full implementation of the IMNCH strategy, we could prevent up to 72 percent of neonatal deaths; more than 70 percent of under-5 deaths and two-thirds (62%) of maternal deaths. In absolute terms, more than 200,000 mothers and 6 million children lives can be saved by 2015.
It is within this context that the Child Health Week became to be known and celebrated as the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. The week also has an objective the improvement of the health seeking-behaviour of the whole family especially mothers and caregivers of children under the age of 5 years, by providing an integrated, high-impact and low-cost package of protective, preventive and promotive services to the whole family.
These include routine immunization, Vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring and promotion, and distribution of deworming medicine, and IEC materials. In addition, tetanus toxoid will be given to women of child-bearing-age, who will also be counseled on key household practices like exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding and basic hygiene.
Antenatal care and family planning service will also be provided. It is thus a week of action for maternal, newborn and child health and survival through existing routine activities.
since 2003, Lagos State has celebrated the Child Health Week annually until 2007 when it was celebrated twice. The "week" has grown in popularity over the years to the extent that at the 2009 National Council on Health Meeting in Asaba, the Federal Government, in agreement with all State Ministries of Health, adopted same and declared that the week be renamed Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week and should be celebrated on a national scale twice a year (May and November).
The week is thus henceforth to be a fundamental part of the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (IMNCH) Strategy, a high profile initiative put together by the Federal Ministry of Health and adopted at the National Council of Health meeting that held in Lagos in 2007 to fast track the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 in Nigeria i.e. Reducing Child Mortality and Improving Maternal Health.
Mrs. Oyebanjo further stated that, Macleans as a brand of GSK, is focused on improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. "As a leading healthcare company, this informed our partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to train health teachers on oral care. By this, we are expanding our contributions to oral care for the society and restating the brand values," she said.
The Marketing helmsman explained that the brand has supported many dental health programmes by providing logistics, products and educational materials on oral healthcare for Lagos State Ministry of Health. The supported programmes include: Schools Oral Screening (primary schools), Children Dental Health Month and Community Dental Education Health (CODEH).
In his own remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris, who was represented by Dr Jemilade Longe - Director of Family Health & Nutrition in the Ministry stated that, the issue of oral hygiene in schools falls under the School Health Program.
Due to its importance and cost-effectiveness, the School Health Program was revitalized by the Ministry in 2006 to ensure that school children learn in a conducive environment and in good health. As the school offers one of the most organized and powerful systems in society through which the health and wellbeing of children who attend it can be positively influenced.
He further added that, GlaxoSmithKline in response to its corporate social responsibility has developed a positive relationship with Lagos State Ministry of Health and rendered support to the Ministry's School Health Program which includes generous distribution of free Macleans toothpaste to public primary school pupils during the medical and dental screening. Printing of posters and IEC materials on oral health hygiene and care of the mouth.
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