Lactating mothers have been urged to
observe good personal hygiene to avoid infecting their babies with
diseases.
They should thoroughly clean and protect their breasts, hands and
bowls used to feed their babies and to make sure that their
surroundings were well kept to save children from diarrhea and other
infectious diseases.
Mrs Belinda Baffoe-Bonney, Ahafo-Ano North District Director of
Health Services, made the call at the launch of 2011 annual district
child health promotion week at Akwasiase, near Tepa.
The goal was to educate parents, especially mothers on how to protect
themselves and their children from diseases and deaths.
It was also meant to highlight the causes of maternal and child
mortality in the area and effective ways of tackling these.
Among the activities lined up are; child immunization, de-worming,
vitamin 'A' supplementation, iodated salt promotion and registration
of infants below the age of one year.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonney said since most diseases were caused by unhygienic
and insanitary conditions in the home environment, it was therefore
crucial that mothers maintain high standards of personal hygiene and
fed their babies with nutritious food.
They should also sleep in insecticide treated mosquito nets to avoid
mosquito bite.
Mrs Baffoe-Bonney spoke of their determination to ensure that Ghana
achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of halving maternal
and child deaths by year 2015.
She said in line with this, about 77 health outreach points had been
created in the district to promote mother and child health.
Mrs Joana Amoakwanda, who represented the Ashanti Regional Director
of Health Services, urged mothers not to disregard the advice of
nurses and midwives during ante and post-natal clinics.
Mr Kyei Sarpong, assembly member for Akwasiase, commended the health
workers for hard work, dedication and professionalism that had helped
to significantly improve the health status of the people.
The Chief, Nana Francis Atta, counselled mothers to pay more
attention to the health of their babies.
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