Abia Women Enjoined To Embrace Free Health Programme

Mothers, caregivers and pregnant women in Abia State have been enjoined to key into the ongoing free 2025 Round Two Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week programme in the state.

‎The week-long programme included Vitamin A supplementation and multiple micronutrient supplements for expectant mothers who missed the earlier round in June.

Wife of the state governor, Priscilla Otti, represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Adaeze  Emetu, made the call during the flag-off of the programme in Umuahia, the state capital.

She described the programme as another significant step toward reducing preventable maternal and child deaths across the state and expressed satisfaction with the successes recorded.

The first lady, who commended the health workers for their efforts, urged traditional rulers, religious and community leaders and the media to intensify sensitisation on the programme.

The commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, lauded the state government for implementing policies and programmes that demonstrate a strong drive to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Similarly, the executive secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kalu Ulu Kalu said the programme included deworming, antenatal care and family planning services across the state.

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‎Kalu, who added that there had been a decline in maternal mortality rate, raised concerns over under-five and perinatal mortality rates – 69 and 129 per 1,000 respectively – which he said call for urgent action.

‎‎In her address, the commissioner for Women Affairs, Maureen Aghaukwa, said the event was a call to action and encouraged stakeholders to join hands with the government to safeguard the lives of mothers and children.

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‎A representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kelechi Nwaneri-Udo, said the agency remains committed to collaborating with the government to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.

‎Dr Izuka Michael from the World Health Organisation (WHO) pledged the organisation’s continued support toward reducing maternal and newborn mortality in the state.

‎The state nutrition officer, Nmerechi Ofoegbu, emphasised the need for mothers to adopt nutritious local diets to improve their family health.