SEOF Boosts FGs Efforts to Reduce Maternal & Neonatal Mortality With US$5m to Rotary’s Maternal & Child Health Program
A Nigerian Rotary member and philanthropist Sir Emeka Offor has committed US$5mn through the Sir Emeka Foundation (SEOF) to the Rotary Foundation.
The SEOF philanthropic gesture was aimed at expanding and strengthening its initiative to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in high-end local government areas.
“Helping mothers and babies survive and thrive is among the greatest investments we can make in Nigeria’s future”; the founder of the SMEOF, Sir Emeka Offor stated.
A statement by the Deputy Director Press & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun said, It is believed that this commitment signpost a partnership with the Rotary-led maternal and child health program.
The 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$5mn by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has become impactful with positive results in our 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$5mn gift from the SEOF therefore reflects these early successes and will help expand the programs reach”.
In his acceptance speech, Mark Maloney, Chair of the Trustees of the Foundation , affirmed that the extraordinary Commitment from the SMEOF comes at a critical time in our member’s efforts to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria.
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 & Social Welfare and, leading professional health association.
