The Lagos State government plans to distribute tetanus toxoid to all women of child-bearing-age as part of measures to reduce child and maternal related deaths in the state.
The special adviser to the state governor on Primary Health Care, Dr Olufemi Onanuga, made this known while declaring open the first round of the 2016 Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programme in Lagos.
Onanuga said the state government was ready to launch a wide range of high-impact and low-cost packages of protective, preventive and promotive services that would be provided to the whole family during the week in an integrated manner.
“These services will include routine immunization; Vitamin A supplementation; growth monitoring and promotion, screening for malnutrition and appropriate counseling and referral; administration of deworming medicine and distribution of informative, educative and communicative materials.
“Tetanus toxoid will also be given to all women of child-bearing-age which will accompany medical counseling on key household practices such as exclusive breastfeeding, hand washing and oral rehydration therapy.
“Home management for fever and diarrhoea will also be provided for caregivers and other target groups,” Onanuga said.