Abia Govt To Reduce Maternal, Child Mortality – First Lady

Wife of the Abia State governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has said the government is determined to reduce maternal and child mortality rates caused by preventable conditions in the state.

She gave the assurance yesterday at the kick-off of the 2025 maternal, newborn and child health week in the state.

Represented by the commissioner for women affairs, Maureen Aghukwa, she urged mothers to make use of the retrofitted healthcare centres within their communities.

“Any initiative that will reduce the mortality rate among mothers and children is not just welcome, it is necessary, and has the full support of the government,” she said.

The first lady, who lauded Governor Alex Otti for prioritising the health sector, urged  workers to embrace continuous learning and skills-building to serve the people better.

She appealed to the media and traditional rulers to become agents of change by mobilising women to seek proper care in primary healthcare centers.

The commissioner for health, Enoch Uche, described the MNCH Week as a clarion call for collective action to ensure mothers and children live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Similarly, his counterpart in the ministry of poverty alleviation and social protection, Blessing Felix, highlighted the inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration powering the MNCH Week.

Earlier in an address,  the executive secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Kalu Ulu-Kau, said  the MNCH Week delivered a proven package of basic, life-saving interventions.

He said, “These include vitamin A supplementation, immunisation catch-up, tetanus-diphtheria vaccination for pregnant women, deworming, malnutrition screening for children under five, antenatal care and breastfeeding education.

“The implementation of the 2025 MNCH Week is a clear testament to our government’s commitment to the well-being of Abia’s most vulnerable populations.”

Representatives of UNICEF, WHO, Pan-African and other development partners landed the government’s investment in maternal and child health.

They also expressed optimism that these collaborative efforts would significantly reduce preventable diseases and foster a healthier future for women and children across the state.