Nagaland: UNICEF official stresses on improving antenatal care

DIMAPUR — The chief field office, UNICEF for Assam and North East, India, Dr. Madhulika Jonathan on Wednesday stressed on the need for improving antenatal care coverage, institutional delivery, and full immunisation coverage for every child to ‘survive and thrive’.

She also highlighted the need to streamline the existing blood bank services in the state.

Meanwhile, Jonathan congratulated the effort of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic and for the sustained low infant mortality rate.

She was speaking at a consultative meeting with the Commissioner and Secretary, department of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW), Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Director, DHFW, Dr. Vibeituonuo M Sachu and department officials at the IDSP Conference Hall of DoHFW, Kohima.

She was accompanied by Ashish Dadwal, Health Specialist, North East State (except Assam), an update from National Health Mission informed.

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Further,  Sema expressed his appreciation towards UNICEF for their constant support in the area of RMNCH+ A (Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child  and Adolescent Health) in the state, support to aspirational district along with technical support and timely supply of essential medical logistics especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledging the need to create awareness to donate blood for the needy people, he also lauded all the blood donors particularly the Armed Forces towards voluntary blood donation in Nagaland.

It said the state and UNICEF have agreed to collaborate in the RMNCH+A through capacity building, technical support, supportive mentoring visits and other areas of support. 

Sema further stressed on the need of revamping the communitisation of health facilities, awareness generation through involvement of churches, for which UNICEF will also be extending support, it said.

He called for continued collaboration between UNICEF and development partners especially in the area of maternal, newborn and child health to ensure that no one is left behind.

The UNICEF team also visited health facilities and had an interaction with the healthcare workers.

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