The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has warned pregnant women against patronising quacks for antenatal, delivery, and post-natal health services.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said this during the flag-off of the Y2023 Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (MNCAH+N) week on Monday at Badagry, Lagos.

She noted that continued patronage of quacks under any guise poses danger to the health and well-being of pregnant women and their unborn children.

“We also need to discourage pregnant women from patronising quacks who hide under the guise of traditional medicine while practising orthodox medicine illegally.

“These quacks further endanger the lives of victims who patronise them.

“I commend the efforts of the Traditional Medicine Board and appeal to them to intensify efforts in monitoring and exposing these quacks operating in our communities,” she said.

She emphasised the government’s zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence, urging the community to work together to eradicate such crimes.

Mrs Olu noted that the MNCAH+N week was a vital health event in Lagos that emphasised the importance of practising good health-seeking behaviours for the well-being of mothers, children, adolescents, and the whole family.

According to her, Lagos pioneered the initiative in 2012 to provide essential healthcare services to under-five children, mothers, women of childbearing age, and men.

“To implement this year’s MNCAH+N week, a multipronged approach will be taken, with all stakeholders expected to support the initiative.

“The programme will run from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10 across primary healthcare centres and designated sites, offering services like routine immunisation, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, malnutrition screening, counselling on infant and young child feeding, family planning services, and more.

“This programme is designed to ensure that all children receive necessary healthcare, particularly those who have defaulted on immunisation or have never been immunised,” she said.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu, represented by Abimbola Idowu, wife of the chairman of Ojo LGA, commended the state governor for his relentless efforts towards improving the health sector and continually putting measures in place to ensure inclusive, prompt and effective healthcare services for citizens.

Earlier, Akin Abayomi, the state commissioner for health, said the core purpose of the week was to promote healthy lives, thereby contributing to the growth of Lagos state and Nigeria.

Abayomi emphasised the importance of well-nourished mothers during pregnancy, noting that the nutrition of the mother directly affects the child’s development in the womb.

According to him, the state has established various programmes, infrastructure, and manpower development to support healthy pregnancies and ensure that mothers and babies remain healthy.

The commissioner said the significance of child spacing and responsible family planning to provide adequate resources and care for children.

Mr Abayomi noted that a considerable portion of Lagos residents are between 30 and 35 years.

He urged young adults to practice safe sex and responsible social interactions to avoid unwanted pregnancies and neglected children.

Abayomi also highlighted the government’s shift towards prevention rather than treatment and the deployment of experienced staff to strengthen community-level healthcare services, to keep residents healthy and contribute to society’s well-being.

Also, Olusegun Ogboye, the permanent secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said nutrition programmes were being implemented in the state health facilities to ensure mothers were well-nourished during pregnancy.

Mr Ogboye encouraged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding in order to provide a balanced diet for growing children.

He advised them to embrace the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme tagged ‘Ilera Eko’, noting that the insurance covers various healthcare needs and is essential for accessing antenatal care, immunisations, and birth control.

In her remarks, Celine Lafoucriere, chief of Lagos field office, UNICEF, commended the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to maternal and children’s health and well-being.

She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to support the state government in achieving universal health coverage, particularly for children and mothers.

(NAN)