Ehor – Edo State Government said it would support the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) as part of efforts to reduce high mortality rate in rural areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Aihauwa Eregie disclosed this at Ehor Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State while inaugurating a maternal and Child Health Project Organised by the Baln Initiative, TY Danjuma Foundation.
Dr. Eregie, represented by the Director, primary Health care, Edo State, Dr. Eghe Abbe noted that Nigeria records the highest mortality rate in the world and, urging all hands should be on deck to check the incidence.
According to him, the initiative of the Balm Initiative was timely as the state had already worked out modalities on how to assist and empower the rural TBA in the efficiency of their job.
The Commissioner enjoined men and women TBAs to take advantage of the programme as their role transcends to the encouragement of rural dwellers, immunization and treatment of deadly diseases.
He therefore commended the sponsor of the Programme, “TY Danjuma Foundation” for such benefiting initiative for the people of the rural areas, while calling on all mothers to take advantage of the programme.
The project co-ordinator of TBI for ZTY Danjuma Foundation, Favour Oghale Jolaoluwa said the programme put together in conjunction with Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWS) was to ameliorate the plight of the rural women.
Jolaoluwa, who expressed satisfaction over the high turn out of rural women in the area stated that the gesture was to further education them on their advocacy.
Odionwere of the community, Pa John Idemudia appealed for more government presence in the locality, particularly in the areas of health care delivery.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries in outside the community, including the Enogie of Ehor, His Royal Highness Igiehon, represented by the secretary of the community S.O. Igbinosa and the Ahaza of Ehor, Chief Stephen Aiyomorhuo.