Infant Mortality: Akwa Ibom Gov’s Wife Assists 400 Pregnant Women

Worried by high level infants and maternal morbidity especially in rural Akwa Ibom, First Lady of the state, Mrs. Martha Emmanuel, has advised no fewer than 400 pregnant women against patronizing quacks and traditional birth attendants during the delivery processes of their children.

Addressing the women at the 11th edition of Martha’s Pregnacare Outreach (MPO), a flagship reproductive health programme under her pet project, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative (FEYReP), held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, the Governor’s wife told the expectant mothers to be properly guided during the period for the safety of the mother and child.

Besides, she implored the women drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas to “help reduce infant and maternal morbidity by avoiding the patronage of quacks, but to take advantage of antenatal care to ensure safe delivery.”

She said the scheme was initiated “to help educate pregnant women on the facts and myths of pregnancy, and as well ensure safe delivery.”

Mrs Emmanuel, who distributed delivery packs, which contained toiletries, diapers, clothing and sanitary towels and cash, recalled that “the programme over the years has impacted over 4000 women especially from the rural communities.

“No woman deserves to die during pregnancy, hence with the support of my dear husband, we came up with this programme to address the issue of children and mothers’ deaths during childbirth.

“I must say that when we started, very few rural women embraced the culture of antenatal; but as of today, and from the report we are getting, our women have now embraced antenatal care courtesy of our sustained efforts,” she stressed.

The governor’s wife advised the expectant mothers on the need for balanced diets and taking of Vitamin A – fortified foods, exclusive breast-feeding, family planning,  and opting for caesarean operation if need arises.