As part of measures to curb maternal and infant mortality rates, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development plans to establish an emergency response units in 20 states across the country.

The Ministry said it would also provide about 63 ambulances to ferry women and children who need emergency medical attention in the rural areas.

Director of Women Affairs in the Ministry, Mrs Esther Adeyemi made this known at the 13th Regular Council of the National Council of Women Affairs and Social Development in Port Harcourt on Monday.

She explained that the plans were part of 10 point memorandum expected to be endorsed at the end of the council meeting.

She disclosed that the ambulances would be donated to General Hospitals and primary healthcare centres at the local areas, expressing the hope that the move would check infant mortality rate.

She, however, called on the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to establish gender units in-line with policy to mainstream gender issues in government programmes

Mrs Adeyemi lamented that women issues had always suffered due to lack of interest but noted that if the policy was adopted, it would advance the needs at both the state and grassroots levels.

Earlier in his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaji Idris Kuta had said the meeting was aimed at reviewing activities, draw out new plans and sharpen strategies to reposition women in the country.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Pat Ogbonnya thanked the participants for their presence and assured them of a peaceful deliberation and hospitality from the people of the state.

-Tide

Posted by admin on Feb 2 2011. Filed under State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry