The National Primary
Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 12 local government areas in Edo have benefitted from its programmes.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Dr Joseph Oteri, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Benin yesterday.
Oteri said that Ovia South-West, Orhiomwon, Esan South-East, Igueben, Etsako Central and Akoko–Edo local government areas had benefitted under its Midwifery Service Scheme (MSS).
He also said Ikpoba Okha, Owan East and Esan North-East benefitted from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) maternal and child health programme of the agency.
The coordinator added that Ovia North-East, Etsako West and Esan Central areas benefitted from the maternal and child health programme.
He said: “Primary health care is the cornerstone of national health policy.
“About 70 per cent of illnesses that are treated in this country can be handled at the primary health care level.
“The SURE-P-maternal and child health programmes are geared toward reducing maternal and child mortality rates in the state.’’
Oteri said that under the scheme, primary health care facilities were renovated, equipped, stocked with drugs and health workers deployed to work in them.
“Midwives, nurses and community health extension workers were sent to the selected health facilities to render health services.
“We also embark on training of health workers in the health centres on the use of new innovations on basic life support,’’ he said.
The coordinator said that the schemes had helped to increase patients’ patronage of the health care facilities.
He said: “The number of people who visit the health centres has increased and expectant mothers now have access to skilled birth attendants.
“Maternal and child mortality rates have reduced in the areas due to the presence of midwives at the health facilities.
“These midwives also go to the communities to help in taking deliveries. Immunisation coverage in these areas has also improved.’’
