According to the 2013 subsisting statistics from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, out of every one hundred thousand Anambra women who give birth in a year, an average of two hundred and eighty-six die in the process.
The survey also showed that thirteen babies in every one hundred die at birth while twenty babies in every one hundred die before the age of five.
To address these challenges of Maternal and child mortality, a one day top level stakeholder forum on Family Planning, especially on the uptake of Contraceptive Technology Update was held in Awka aimed at developing proactive solutions to these challenges.
The one day forum which will continue with an indoor discussion and group studies for three other days is organized by The Challenge Initiative, TCI, Nigeria and the Anambra State Government.
There are already interventions made by the government to address these enormous challenges such as the implementation of the Anambra Health Insurance Scheme, provision and revitalization of primary health centers, the completion of modern and well equipped oxygen plant in the state as well as provision of tricycle ambulances for hospitals in rural areas and family planning budget line in the State’s 2019 budget.
In their separate speeches, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabike, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry , Dr John Ndibe and the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezeenyimulu explained that some of these policies have yielded better results since the survey results were released assuring that more efforts are being made.
Leading the discussions on the uptake of family planning implementation to reduce mother and child death rates, the State Programme Cordinator, TCI, Mr. Egbe Aneotah-Awo called for immediate action as well as intensified sensitization and capacity building for health staff to provide family planning needs for women.
However, underlining in this uptake of Contraceptive Technology Update are the enormous challenges of religion, doctrine and culture among women who seek help and the professionals who provide such help.
Earlier, The Challenge Initiative team led by the Portfolio Director, Nigeria Urban Health Initiative Two and Life Planning for Adolescents and Youth, Dr Mojisola Odeku paid a courtesy visit on the Commissioner for Health, Dr Akabike and the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ezeenyimulu where she harped on partnership coordination to achieve better results.
On his part, Commissioner Akabike while listing some of the efforts made by the State Government, pledged total support to TCI and restated committed to every effort that must be made to protect the women and children at birth.
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