By Omoregie Elvis
Wife of the Edo Governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki in her bid to reduce neonatal
deaths (death of babies between 0 to 28 days) in the state, has encouraged
some hospitals across the state to work towards improving the Neonatal Care
Units in their hospitals.
Mrs Obaseki made the call while presenting gifts to the New Year babies at
the Central Hospital Benin, Stella Obasanjo Hospital and St Philomena
Catholic Hospital all in Benin City the Edo state capital.
Speaking at St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Mrs Obaseki commended the
state of facilities at the neonatal care and maternity units at the
hospital noting that the state government would synergize with the hospital
to improve standards in State-owned hospitals.
The wife of the governor who also visited Central Hospital Benin and Stella
Obasanjo Hospital, state owned hospitals, said “the visit is to ensure that
babies are born under hygienic condition, and by skilled manpower urging
the Management of the Hospitals to implement the ideas of her pet project
on “Curbing Neonatal Deaths” in their hospitals.
She promised to assist the Stella Obasanjo hospital refurbish some of its
broken down vehicles and discussed with the management of Central hospital
Benin about modalities that will ensure the effective use of incubators in
the hospital’s neonatal unit.
The first baby of the year was born at Stella Obasanjo Hospital, to the
family of Mr and Mrs Aghator Adesewa, at 1:19 am, weighing 3.5kg.
While the second baby was born at Central Hospital Benin, Hospital at 11:
55am weighing 3.7 kg and the third at St Philomena Catholic Hospital by
12:19 pm and weighed 3.3kg.
The Medical Directors of Central Hospital, Benin, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga and
Stella Obasanjo hospital, Dr Isaac Omorogiuwa appreciated the gesture and
promised more quality service delivery at the neonatal care unit of the
hospitals.
The duo also commended the wife of the governor for her “Reduce neonatal
deaths initiative” saying it was apt as the country still rank very high in
infant mortality.
The Medical Directors also use the occasion to commend the achievements of
the Governor of the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki in the health sector.
Meanwhile, the mother of the first baby, Mrs Adesewa, thanked the wife of
the Edo governor for her motherly care and gift presented to her baby.
The governor’s wife was accompanied by the Edo State Women’s leader of the
All Progressive Congress, Dr Aisosa Amadasun, Commissioner for Women
Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Ohenhen, Wife of the formal Speaker of the Edo House
of Assembly. Mrs Okonoboh amongst others.