Chineze George -Ileka, UNICEF Desk Officer, Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, Mrs has urged Volunteer Community Mobilisers, VCMs, in Idemili North to train their people on health issues affecting them.

George-Ileka taught the VCMs how to orientate the people of their communities, especially pregnant women and children on health matters.

She urged them not to be self-centered, while doing their job in order to save lives.

“A diplomatic approach is required when trying to direct someone to the nearest health centre to promote good service delivery,” she said.

She admonished them to educate pregnant women on the need for antenatal and postnatal checks.

“Tell them about anti tetanus drugs to be taken during pregnancy, the treatment of cerebral malaria and free insecticide-treated nets, which, should be used after immunisation,” she advised.

She enjoined the nurses as caregivers to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.

“You should stop being antagonistic when on duty. Do not react rudely to pregnant mothers to avoid scaring them away. Routine drugs should be used to draw their attention,” George-Ileka advised.

Earlier, Emeka Anieto, former president-general, Aguluzigbo, Anaocha LGA, noted that everybody wanted a healthy child as the state of health of a child determined his or her future.

“Giving prior information to pregnant women can prevent death and high mortality rate among them,” he said.

He said that the primary responsibility of VCMs was to receive information and pass on to those who need them.

Afam Anamena, Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Anambra State Ministry of Health, taught the volunteers how to attract the attention of the people.

Anamena educated the villagers on how to stem contracting HIV infection.

Chairman, Idemili North LGA, Asha Ralph Nnabuife, thanked the UNICEF officers for the training.

Chairman, who was represented by the PRO Idemili North LGA, Mrs Esther Olikeze, said the programme was aimed at having healthy children, saving lives, and guaranteeing good health for all.

She noted that the chairman was a responsible leader and alive to his responsibilities.

She urged the mobilisers to convey list of their needs and challenges to head nurses of the health centres, who in turn, would inform the chairman.

Ike Nwosisi, a VCM from Ikenga Village, Ogidi, commended the UNICEF team and promised that they would deliver on their duties as expected.

– Sept. 14, 2018 @ 11:57 GMT |