Hundreds of pregnant women and nursing mothers, alongside families with malnourished children, have received medical care and essential support in Essien Udim Local Government Area under the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Medical Mission.
The outreach, held at the Primary Health Care Centre, Afaha Ikot Ebak, is part of the IOM project implemented across 20 selected Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State to strengthen maternal and child healthcare as the state marks World Breastfeeding Week 2026.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Carelife Character Foundation in collaboration with the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, ALGON, WALGON, Ibom Air, ECEWS, CCCRN, MWAN and other partners.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, urged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as essential to boosting babies’ immunity, promoting healthy growth and development and reducing infant mortality.
Represented by the Coordinator of the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka, Lady Obareki also stressed the importance of regular antenatal and postnatal care, proper nutrition and prompt medical attention whenever necessary.
She said providing mothers with the right information, healthcare services and essential care packages remained critical to improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Council, Elder Ntiedo Usoro, commended the State Government and Lady Helen Eno Obareki for supporting the IOM project, assuring the implementing team of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that directly impact residents at the grassroots.
Also speaking, the wife of the Council Chairman, Mrs Ofonime Usoro, appreciated the medical team for providing comprehensive care to women in the area, particularly their enrolment in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
A representative of the Carelife Character Foundation, Mr Elkanah Emmanuel; Director of Health, Mrs Victoria Ebedot; Supervisor for Health, Hon. Saviour Umana; and the Village Head, Chief Sylvester Ukpong, also commended the State Government, GIFA, Ministry of Health and other partners for sustaining the IOM intervention across the 20 participating Local Government Areas.
The medical mission featured a health talk by the Council’s Health Promotions Officer, Mr Moses Emma, while GIFA Patcare packs and other gift items donated by the Council Chairman and his wife were distributed to pregnant women, nursing mothers and vulnerable families who participated in the outreach.
