5,846 MOTHERS, 11,286 CHILDREN ACCESS IBOM OPEN MATERNITY MEDICARE IN A’IBOM
The Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project Medical Mission, commemorating the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, touching 5,846 mothers, 11,286 children, was rounded off with a grand finale held at Nsit Ubium Local Government Council Hall.
Giving an overview of the Project, the Executive Director of Carelife Character Foundation, Dr. Aniekeme George, a principal partner with the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom, explained that the 20-day activity aimed to address adverse trends in maternal and child healthcare.
He noted that the project commemorating the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, covered seven Local Government Areas across the Federal Constituencies in the state,
To encourage breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health, Dr. George advocated state government’s co-funding of the UNICEF Nutrition Match Fund, the enactment of a bill to support a six-month paid maternity leave for mothers from their employers, the establishment of malnutrition access units in rural PHCs and increased number of skilled health care professionals in rural areas.
He highlighted that during the medical mission, a total of 5,846 mothers and 11,286 children were reached and issues ranging from malnutrition, anaemia in pregnancy, teenage pregnancy, poor family planning uptake, HIV/AIDs and low manpower in the industry were the danger signs recorded.
In a remark, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, assured citizens of government’s continued commitment to prioritising their well-being through transformed healthcare systems that promote unhindered access to health services.
Represented by the member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Kenim Onofiok, the deputy governor emphasised that His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, has identified access to healthcare as a top priority in his administration.
This, she said, is demonstrated through various initiatives, including the upgrading of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to world-class facilities and the provision of free health insurance for the medical needs of pregnant women across the state, among others.
Acknowledging the Carelife Character Foundation for partnering with the state government to advance the ARISE Agenda, particularly, infants and maternal healthcare, the Deputy Governor stated that the IOM project has offered invaluable support in accelerating government efforts to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in the state.
She applauded all implementing partners for their collaboration with the state government in promoting the well-being of its citizens and urged individuals, civil society, corporate organisations and stakeholders to collectively sensitise women on the significance of breastfeeding and its impact on the health and well-being of their babies until the practice is widely embraced.
The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Moses Essien, reiterated that the legislature will continue to align with global frameworks to support advocacy and formulate policies that address health concerns in the state.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Council, Hon. Alfred Charles, commended Governor Umo Eno and the First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, for their unwavering efforts in enhancing maternal and child care services, as well as the IOM Project for its role in strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroot level and pledged to deepen commitments to support the Primary Healthcare needs in the area.
In their separate goodwill messages, the State Coordinator of World Bank, the Country Director of Helen Keller International, Nigeria, the Commissioner of the National Population Commission, representatives of the Ministry of Humanitarian, Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Association of Local Government Chairmen of (ALGON) and Wives of Local Government Chairmen (WALGON), reeled out benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and pledged to take deliberate steps to champion and replicate the programme in their respective areas.
High point of the event was the presentation of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) PatCare packs to expectant mothers and the wife of the Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Council, Mrs Imaobong Alfred, Mamakit to nursing mothers.
The Ibom Open Maternity Project (IOMP) medical missions, themed “Strengthening Local and Sustainable Systems to Promote Effective Breastfeeding for Healthier Mothers and Children”, engaged with pregnant women and nursing mothers in Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Ikot Abasi, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai, Eket and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas.
Implementing Partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Population Commission, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), KNCV, MSI Reproductive Choices, UNICEF, Helen Keller International, The Challenge Initiative among others, provided maternity literacy, health and nutritional talks, consultancy services, clinicals, child birth registration, insurance registration and other medical sessions to ensure pregnant women and nursing mothers birth and nurture their babies into healthy adults.
