The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale has commenced sensitisation of pregnant women who are beneficiaries of the Mother Infant and Child Development (MICHD) programme on its importance in the state.
The special adviser said the third phase of the programme has also commenced in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across Lagos state to boost the indices of maternal and child health.
She said the programme is geared towards achieving the Lagos State T.H.E.M.E.S agenda led by the governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
According to the special adviser, who was accompanied by Directors across different departments from Office of Civic Engagement as well support staff, the sensitisation exercise is designed to facilitate awareness among the beneficiaries that will be partaking from this laudable project.
Speaking during the presentation, she emphasised on the importance of good nutrition and how it helps in brain development of the baby from the womb.
Adebowale noted that the expectation from beneficiaries of the programme during her speech clearly state that the governor is looking forward to seeing you giving birth to civilly responsible citizens.
“Our main expectation is to see our mothers eat a well balanced diet during their pregnancy. The main reason why the MICHD pack is given on a weekly basis to our indigent pregnant mothers, is for proper brain development of the fetus and wellbeing of both mother and child. It is also for them to give birth and raise a civilly responsible child that will grow up to contribute positively to our society and not one that will exert pressure on it,” she said.
The Director Legislative of Civic Engagement, Mrs. Ayodele stated the opportunities for both pregnant women and their husbands in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation respectively.
MICHD consultant, Dr. Erinosho Eniola, welcomed the pregnant women to the special occasions, while explaining in-depth interest on the impact of this programme to the beneficiaries and the society at large.
He stated the importance and breakdown of each nutrients compiled in the MICHD food packs and supplements for the beneficiaries and their unborn babies respectively.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries of the MICHD programme enrolled into the Lagos state health insurance scheme (Ilera Eko) for them to have access to free medical treatment after onboarding each mother on MICHD application software.
Also the LASSRA official ensured all the mothers are registered under Lagos State Residential registration.
