‘Maternal Mortality Declining In Abia’

Executive eecretary of Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kalu Ulu-Kalu, has said there has been a steady decline in maternal mortality rate in the state.

Ulu-Kalu spoke to LEADERSHIP on the sideline of the flag-off of the 2025 Round Two Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, in Umuahia, the state capital.

He attributed the development to the government’s commitment to improve the healthcare delivery, and the people’s response to immunization programmes.

He lauded the wife of the governor, Pricillia Otti and the office of the wife of the governor for partnering the agency in the implementation of its programmes.

The secretary, who encouraged mothers and caregivers to embrace the programme, assured of the commitment of the agency to continue to improve its services.

Similarly, the commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche said the ongoing upgrade of Primary Health Centres across the state is expanding access to quality healthcare.

‎He expressed concern that the country accounts for 29 per cent of global maternal deaths, describing  the figure as unacceptable and needs immediate action.

‎Representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kelechi Nwaneri-Udo, and  the World Health Organization, Izuka Michael delivered goodwill messages at the event.

‎Highlights of the event was the  administration of vitamin A supplements to children aged 0–5 years and the distribution of gift items to mothers and children who participated in the exercise