AKOR SYLVESTER, Abuja
A Nigerian Rotary member and philanthropist, Sir Emeka Offor has committed US$5m through the Sir Emeka Foundation (SEOF) to the Rotary Foundation in order to support federal government in efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the country.
The SEOF philanthropic gesture was aimed at expanding and strengthening its initiative to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in high-end local government areas.
In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Emeka Offor said: “Helping mothers and babies survive and thrive is among the greatest investments we can make in Nigeria’s future”; the founder of the SMEOF said.
The statement believed that the commitment signpost, a partnership with the Rotary-led maternal and child health program’s hanging fruits, will include improving access to prenatal care and skilled deliveries with equipped facilities, engaging communities, strengthenig health data systems.
Supporting this initiative, the commitment of US$5m by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has become impactful with positive results in the communities.
“Two years into implementation, supported facilities in four target regions in the country have reported increased antenatal visits and reductions of 20% in maternal deaths and 28% in neonatal deaths.
“The US$5m gift from the SEOF therefore reflects these early successes and will help expand the programs reach”, the statement said.
In his acceptance speech, Mark Maloney, Chair of the Trustees of the Foundation, affirmed that the extraordinary Commitment from the SEOF comes at a critical time in our members’ efforts to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria.
According to the statement, “It is therefore pertinent to state that Rotary’s ” Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria’ program”; aligns with the focused initiative and interventions policies and programmes of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths”.
The program was first launched by Rotary members in Nigeria and Germany, in partnership with the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH), the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and a leading professional health association.
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