The Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) project and the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) have provided free medical services and care packs to more than 4,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as part of efforts to strengthen access to maternal and child healthcare in the riverine community.
The intervention was organised by the Carelife Character Foundation in partnership with the Ibeno Local Government Council, with support from GIFA and other partners.
Speaking on behalf of GIFA, the Press Secretary to the First Lady, Uduak Ekong, urged mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their babies’ lives and continue breastfeeding until the child is two years old.
She said breastfeeding provides essential nutrients that support children’s brain development and overall growth. She also encouraged pregnant women to attend antenatal appointments regularly to enable healthcare professionals to monitor their health and detect potential complications early.
“Please take advantage of available healthcare services and follow the advice of medical professionals concerning proper nutrition, adequate rest, hygiene and regular health checks. These are essential to ensuring healthy pregnancies and the proper development of children,” she said.
The Chairperson of Ibeno Local Government Council, Glory Effiong, said the programme was making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and called for greater support to renovate dilapidated health facilities in riverine communities.
She said improving the condition of the facilities would help expand access to quality healthcare for residents, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas.
The Team Lead and Coordinator of the Ibom Open Maternity project, Dr Aniekeme George, said the initiative was designed to bring essential healthcare services closer to women and children, particularly those facing difficulties accessing medical care.
George expressed confidence that continued support from partners would help sustain and expand the programme to reach more underserved communities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Moses Essien, commended the organisers and partners for the intervention.
He stressed that improving healthcare delivery requires sustained collaboration between government and other relevant stakeholders.
The Ibeno Local Government Chairperson later led frontline partners involved in the Ibom Open Maternity project on a guided tour of the various sections of the medical mission.
The intervention is part of broader efforts by the Ibom Open Maternity project and its partners to improve access to maternal and child healthcare services for women and children in underserved communities across Akwa Ibom State.
