By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja.

A stakeholders meeting on how to move maternal new-born and child health evidence into policy in West Africa is under way in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and IDRC of Canda, the three-day event, under the theme: “Nigeria Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research Days,” was formally declared open by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Dr, Osagie Ehanire.

The aim is to enhance the reduction of maternal and child mortality rate, through the development of more efficient, equitable and sustainable policies, strategies, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and better functioning systems, according to WAHO and FMOH officials.

The first two days which witnessed the opening session, technical sessions, group discussions and panel sessions, attracted about 90 participants made up of Key stakeholders in Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) like policy makers, researchers, CSOs and NGOs.  Director-General of WAHO, Prof Stanley Okolo, Director of Family Health department FMOH Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, former governor of Ondo State His Excellency, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the senior specialist representative of IDRC from Canada Dr Nafi Diop were also in attendance.