Anambra govt commences maternal new born baby health week

Here's a possible news article based on the topic:

ANAMBRA GOVT COMMENCES MATERNAL, NEWBORN BABY HEALTH WEEK

Awka, Anambra State - The Anambra State Government has commenced the Maternal, Newborn Baby Health Week (MNHW) aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates in the state.

The MNHW, which is being observed from March 1 to 7, is a global initiative aimed at improving the health of mothers and newborn babies. The theme for this year's event is "Invest in the Health of Mothers and Newborns: A Call to Action".

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, who launched the event, said that the state government is committed to reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, which are currently high in the state.

According to the commissioner, maternal mortality rate in Anambra State is 541 per 100,000 live births, while newborn mortality rate is 34 per 1,000 live births. He said that the state government is working to reduce these rates through various interventions, including the provision of quality healthcare services, training of healthcare workers, and provision of essential medicines and equipment.

During the MNHW, healthcare workers will provide free antenatal care, delivery services, and postnatal care to pregnant women and new mothers. The event will also feature health talks, screenings, and vaccinations for newborn babies.

The commissioner appealed to pregnant women and new mothers to take advantage of the free healthcare services provided during the MNHW. He also urged healthcare workers to provide quality care to patients and to report any cases of maternal and newborn mortality to the authorities.

The MNHW is being observed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and other development partners.

In his remarks, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, commended the Anambra State Government for its commitment to improving maternal and newborn health. He said that the state government's efforts are in line with the global goal of reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates.

The UNICEF Representative, Dr. Peter Hawkins, also commended the state government for its efforts to improve the health of mothers and newborn babies. He said that UNICEF is committed to supporting the state government in its efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.

The MNHW is a global initiative that is observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of maternal and newborn health. The event is also aimed at mobilizing support for the improvement of maternal and newborn health services.