Cross River Government on Thursday in Calabar Kickstarted the maternal newborn and child care week, for the immunisation of newborns against early death, polio infection and other diseases.
The exercise is targeted at children between zero to five years.
Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Director, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said that the deworming drugs (abendezole) administered to the children would help in boosting their immunity and strengthen their growth.
Ekpenyong emphasised the need for mothers to take their babies to primary healthcare centres in the state for immunisation.
“If you do not deworm your child, no matter the quantity of food given to them, they will not grow healthy,” she said.
Ekpenyong advocated for proper and good nutrition for children and pregnant women to enhance their nutritional value.
“Despite deworming the kids, if we do not provide them with good nutrition, they will still not grow well.
“I want to advise you to plant vegetables around your homes so that you can feed your children at very low cost.
“This intervention is not restricted to urban areas alone but will be extended to even the hard-to-reach areas in the state,” she added.
The director tasked pregnant women to visit the primary healthcare centres to get folic acid and vitamin A drug, to boost their immunities and elongate their lives.
