The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment (SURE-P) programme’s Conditional Cash Transfer programme of the Maternal and Child Health intervention project will soon commence in four selected Health care facilities in Ekiti State.
The State Technical Officer of SURE-P MCH CCT, Mrs. Opeoluwa Ilugbusi who made this known during an advocacy visit to the office of the Director of Information Services in the State Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, Ado Ekiti, explained that her team embarked on a tour of the state to solicit the support of relevant stakeholders towards achieving the desired result.
Mrs. Ilugbusi listed the health care facilities to be used for the programme as the Comprehensive Health Centers at Okeyinmi, Ado Ekiti and Ogotun Ekiti as well as the Basic Health Centers at Are and Ikogosi Ekiti.
According to her, the State Steering Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Health will be inaugurated on Thursday, August 21, 2014 stressing that only the cooperation of stakeholders in the state could guarantee the success of the intervention programme.
Mrs. Ilugbusi noted that the contribution of the Ministry of Information was germane to the overall success of scheme adding that the role of proper dissemination of information and sensitization of the target beneficiaries cannot be overemphasized.
The Technical Officer said that other sectors such as the Health ministry, traditional rulers, community leaders, churches and mosques as well as the market places would be reached towards ensuring utmost success in the task of reducing maternal and child mortality rate in the state.
She emphasized that the focus of the intervention is to contribute to the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths in Nigeria, thereby helping the country meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
Ilugbusi added that the intervention is geared towards increasing the utilization of health services in government health facilities through use of incentives provided after fulfillment of set conditions.
Responding, the Director of Information Services, Mr. Tope Babalola stressed that the programme will further increase the life expectancy of people of the state, which according to the most recent survey, is the highest in country.
He noted that all hands must be on deck to reduce the nation’s maternal and infant mortality rate and assured of the support of his department in ensuring the success of the programme.
Last modified: August 13, 2014