Accelerated Birth Registration: Betty Akeredolu, Other Stakeholders Chart Way Forward
The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu reeled out the successes attained in improving reproductive and maternal health in the last few months in the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting which took place at the government house, Alagbaka, Akure and which had in attendance key players from the Ondo State Primary Heath Care Development Board (ODPHCDB), National Population Commission (NPOpC) among others, Mrs. Akeredolu observed that the Accelerated Birth Registration (ABR) a project initiated through the Olori Connection Programme and aimed at improving the state of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) in the state has to a large extent recorded tremendous success.
According to the wife of the Governor, Accelerated Birth Registration is an early point to a bigger picture, an entry point to solving a bigger problem as it has the ability to address bigger issues like malnutrition, immunization, limited birth registration centres and the increasing decline in women’s access to maternal services.
Mrs. Akeredolu who further highlighted funding and logistics as part of the challenges encountered during the execution of the scheme at Ifedore Local Government noted that in March alone, 3,850 birth registration forms were distributed.
In the final analysis, Mrs. Akeredolu stressed the need to incorporate the initiative into the system in order to ensure that the people take ownership of the programme by incorporating it into the existing structures in the ministry.
While thanking NPOPC and PHC for their supports, Mrs. Akeredolu further noted the need for an improved framework that makes access easy between Akowe Abiye and the Ward Focal Person stressing that ABR in the state has facilitated active participation of Oloris and as well encourage community engagement among others.
In his remark, the representative of NPOPC, Mr. Olowolagba noted that since the commencement of the project, 4000 birth registration forms were provided for Akowe Abiyes through their Focal Persons.
Mr. Olowolagba who identified limited manpower as one of its challenges called for the deployment of NYSC members from the local government to support the system and the existing structures.
The meeting rounded up with recommendation on ways to improve the ABR process.
