Stakeholders task govt on post 2105 development agenda on maternal, child health

Post-2015 development agenda would not be complete without a proper place for women, children and newborns’ health, stakeholders in the health sector have said.

To this end, stakeholders in the health sector have urged the Federal Government to ensure Nigerian priorities are captured in the area of women, children and newborn health within the post-2015 development agenda.

Speaking in Abuja during stakeholders meeting on citizen hearing on Post 2015 development Agenda organized by White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria (WRN), tagged “Nothing about us without us”, the National Coordinator, WRN, Tonte Ibraye, said Nigeria priorities must be addressed in subsequent national level commitments to 2015 framework.

He said: “We call on governments to account for their delivery on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, and push for a strong accountability framework in the new Every Woman Every Child strategy and within the Sustainable Development Goals.”

According to him, there have been huge advances in health, education, and the fight against poverty during the lifespan of the Millennium Development Goals; and although there have been big successes, some of the goals may not be reached.

“We must show we have learnt the lessons of the last development goals and commitments, where accountability was lacking, and act on these lessons. We will ensure citizens are engaged in holding governments to account to ensure progress is accelerated for women, children and newborns’ health,” he added.

Also, speaking at the event, the Chairman, National Productive Health Working Group (NPHWG), Prof. Dapo Ladipo, lamented that Women are dying in rural communities adding that unless something is done it may escalate. He stressed that countries that are poorer than our country are doing well in the health sector.