From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, at the weekend, flagged off the ‘Baby Shower Initiative and Maternity Day’ to support pregnant women and nursing mothers across the state.
The event was graced by expectant and nursing mothers, health professionals, and key stakeholders.
In her speech, she stressed the importance of the initiative as a compassionate and strategic intervention of the Ministry of Health and BERWO Foundation, focused on giving mothers access to maternal care, health education, and basic necessities.
“The Baby Shower Initiative is not just about gifts and celebration. It is our way of saying: You are not alone. We see you. We support you. And we are here for you,” she stated.
Mrs. Nwifuru urged women to attend antenatal and postnatal appointments, listen to health professionals, and take their well-being seriously, stressing that “every mother deserves dignity, every baby deserves a healthy start, and no woman should die while giving life.”
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikenna Moses Ekuma, said the goal of the initiative is to encourage pregnant women to register for antenatal care at primary healthcare centers, general hospitals, and other health facilities across the state.
“The aim of this baby shower initiative is for pregnant women to come out, register for antenatal training, deliver their babies in health facilities, and ensure their children receive complete immunization,” he said.
Ekuma further commended the First Lady for her numerous health interventions, revealing that over 4,000 pregnant women and 300 sickle cell warriors have already been enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme. He noted that the initiative has significantly contributed to the reduction of maternal mortality in Ebonyi.
Also speaking, the Team Lead of BERWO Foundation, Prof. Nkechi Echiagu, disclosed that the initiative targets 17,000 women in 171 selected primary healthcare centers in rural the areas of the state.
“We targeted the rural areas because women in the towns already have access to higher-level healthcare. We are focused on reaching women who still depend on traditional birth attendants. This is our way of encouraging them to use formal healthcare services,” she said.
Prof. Echiagu also hailed health workers in the state, calling them key partners in reducing maternal mortality and promoting healthier families.
On her part, the Desk Officer of the Baby Shower Initiative, Ngozi Aloh, described the flag-off as a turning point in the ownership and sustainability of the program.
“Today, Her Excellency said it’s time for the official flag-off. That means the state is now fully in charge. Sustainability is here with us,” she said.
“We are capturing 171 facilities across all LGAs. You can see the gifts we are starting with – diapers, pampers, mama care, wipes, and oils. We strongly believe that this initiative will extend to other states,” she added.
The event featured distribution of baby items to mothers and pregnant women. Some of the nursing mothers, including Okwuchukwu Ifeoma and Mbam Lucy, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for the kind gesture and support to women in the state.