The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board says it will soon engage 203 midwives to address challenges of maternal and infant mortality in the territory.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Matthew Ashikeni disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Wednesdayin Abujathat the FCT Administration (FCTA) had received 203 midwives, transferred by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, under the Federal Government’s Midwives Service Scheme and Sure-P programme.

He said that the FCTA had graciously approved the engagement of the midwives and the board was working out modalities on how to absorb them properly.

He added that such midwives would be posted to rural areas where their services were needed to enhance maternal and child health care.

DrAshikenialso said that the board had concluded plan to renovate 230 health facilities across the FCT, pointing out that the renovation would be executed in phases.

According to him, the primary health care under his watch is committed to achieve one primary health care per a political ward to ensure that citizens at the grassroots have access to health facilities.

He said: “In the next few months, we will be activating three health facilities in each of the six area councils in the territory and make them functional.

“We shall be providing basic drugs and other essential services to make primary health care facilities perform effectively and efficiently.”

Meanwhile, Ashikeni told NAN that his board was working seriously with major stakeholders to reduce the number of children who were yet to beimmunisedin the territory.

He appealed to parents to bring out their children and wards for the forthcoming vaccination against polio, which kicks off onJuly 8. (NAN)