World Health Day: Anani Pushes for Quality Maternal, Newborn Health
Tracy Ohovwore, Benin city
In commemoration of World Health Day, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has highlighted the importance of healthcare in building a strong and prosperous society.
According to her, having unrestricted access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right that governments and individuals alike must prioritise.
This was made known in a statement during her visit to the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH), where she interacted with healthcare professionals and patients.
During her visit to the hospital, Mrs. Anani was impressed by the quality of care provided to patients. She commended the hospital’s management for their efforts in ensuring that the facility is well-equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the people of Edo State.
She also seized the opportunity to emphasise the importance of maternal and newborn health, stressing its significance in reducing preventable deaths.
“Prioritizing women’s and newborns’ health is of great significance if we must have a healthy and productive society. This is a call on health professionals to be more meticulous in the discharge of their duties. They should be more effective and efficient in their service delivery.” She stated.
She also interacted with patients and healthcare professionals one-on-one, listening to their concerns and suggestions on how to improve the healthcare system. She was particularly moved by the stories of patients who had benefited from the hospital’s services and expressed her gratitude to the healthcare professionals for their dedication to their work.
The First Lady further emphasised the need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population while applauding Governor Monday Okpebholo for rolling out health policies and programmes aimed at improving the health of residents.
The Managing Director of ESH, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, further appreciated Mrs. Anani and her entourage for their visit. She stressed that they are committed to giving patients the necessary support and treatment.
