Representative of the First Lady Designate, the Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Pastor Ann Abraham (left), presenting the maternal care packs to one of the pregnant women in Eket.
By Anietie Akpan
Women in Akwa Ibom State have been charged to indulge in exclusive breastfeeding of their babies within the first six months of life.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, gave the charge on Saturday, August 16, during the distribution of maternal care supplies at Mary Slessor Primary Health Centre, Effoi, Eket Local Government Area, during the Medical Missions of the Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project, organised by CareLife Character Foundation (CCF) in collaboration with other partners.
In a release from her Media Unit, She encouraged nursing mothers to prioritise the breastfeeding of their infants for the first six months of life, saying that “exclusive breast feeding contributes immensely to the wholesome development of the brain of children”.
GIFA distributed maternal care packs to pregnant women in Eket as part of efforts towards improving maternal healthcare in the state.
Lady Obareki, urged the pregnant women to take advantage of the free antenatal care provided at health facilities closest to them, to avert preventable childbirth complications.
The First Lady Designate who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Pastor Ann Abraham, applauded Traditional Birth Attendants who, according to her, are now collaborating with trained health practitioners by referring pregnant women to the hospital for proper medical attention.
She thanked the CCF for initiating a programme to cater for pregnant women and nursing mothers in the state, in the celebration of the breastfeeding week, and reiterated the state Government’s willingness to support meaningful initiatives.
A cross section of the pregnant women with their maternal care packs.
Lady Obareki however encouraged victims of Gender Based Violence to reach out to GIFA for support, maintaining that the Initiative is for the benefit of all.
Lady Obareki also visited a woman from Eket LGA, who had just delivered a baby on the first day of the IOM Medical missions at the health facility, presenting a GIFA mama kit and cash for the care of the mother and her baby.
The Research Coordinator of CCF, Dr. Uwem Offon disclosed that the organisation, in addition to GIFA’s kind gesture, has provided free medical care for pregnant women and nursing mothers in the area.
He thanked the First Lady Designate who, through GIFA, has partnered with CareLife Foundation to bring succour to women in the rural areas of the state.
The Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Hon. Akan Tommy who was represented by his Vice, Hon. Inyang Akpanwan, applauded the First Lady and members of the IOM coalition for their commitment to the breastfeeding programme, admonishing nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants, describing breast milk as a complete food that contains all necessary nutrients for the growth and health of babies.
In her remarks, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Rev. Rose Wills, urged nursing mothers to adhere to the dosage prescription and other instructions from the health practitioners to avoid complications in their infants’ health.
High point of the event was the official distribution of the maternal delivery packs to the beneficiaries.
