The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has called on female health practitioners in the country to make concerted efforts towards reducing the rate of infant and maternal mortality through improved patient advocacy, especially on gender-related issues.
Mrs Grace Njoku, the Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, said in a press release that the minister made the call Thursday when the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), led by its National President, Professor Rosemary Ogu, paid her a courtesy visit in her office, in Abuja.
Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that as caregivers, there was an urgent need for the association to work assiduously, deploying necessary machinery and advocacy so as to ensure improvement in the health status of women, children and the vulnerable.
This, she added, will not only reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality but also give the necessary boost to the socio-economic development of the nation.
The minister informed that the Tinubu Administration recognises the critical role medical personnel play in the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of government, particularly in areas that have direct impact on the lives of women, children and the vulnerable.
She stated further that it is in the light of this that the ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant bodies and stakeholders in order to deliver on its mandate.
Earlier, the National President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Professor Rosemary Ogu, stated that they were at the ministry to congratulate the minister on her appointment, as well as seek areas of possible collaboration between the association and the ministry.
She assured that the body was ready to partner with the ministry in order to enable it deliver on its mandate in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.