The Caretaker Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Hon. Reginald Ekaan Esq has declared one-week free medicare for pregnant women and mothers who recently delivered, stressing that the gesture is aimed at improving the health of the people.
Ekaan, who made the pronouncement while flagging off the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week programme at the Model Primary Health Centre, Ngo Town, the councils’ headquarters, said his administration will explore new frontiers of collaboration with the Rivers State Government to improve public health in Andoni.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Medical Services, Dr Fred Kpane Uwikor Usende, pledged to address the issues plaguing the health sector in the local government.
He appealed to pregnant women, mothers of newborn babies from age 0-5 years and those who require medical care to go to any health centre in Andoni and partake in the exercise.
Ekaan also admonished them to stop patronising quacks and always visit the health centres across Andoni communities to seek health care services rather than unqualified places.
He said: “Our people need to stop self medication, patronize qualified birth attendants and take proper medical care if we must reduce cases of maternity and mortality losses in our Local Government.”
Some of the mothers at the flag-off of the health week lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his support to the council, especially making provision for them to have free access to various medical care.