It was jubilation galore at Uruan Local Government Council as prospective mothers were celebrated during the 2021 Safe Motherhood Day celebration
The celebration with the theme .” Improving Demand, Access and Utilization of Material Services in the context of COVID- 19 pandemic” was anchored by Antof Rural Resources and Development Centre (AARDEC) at the instance of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health in collaboration with TY Danjuma Foundation.
The Executive Chairman, Hon. (Surv) Iniobong Ekpenyong while welcoming all representative of various organizations and prospective mothers to Uraun Local Government Area, acknowledged the magnanimous contribution of Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State for supporting the Safe Motherhood Initiative in the state through her pet project – the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation path Initiative (FEYReP).
Hon. Ekpenyoung also commended all partners of the programme especially, the Antof Rural Resources and Development Centre (AARDEC), and pledged his administration’s commitment towards the actualization of the 7 points agenda of his administration and completion Agenda of His Excellency, the Executive
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
He further advised prospective women in Akwa Ibom to always visit functional health centres in the case of experiencing a high fever with or without abdominal pains and, or, feeling too weak to get out of bed.
The Council Boss however charged all women to be healthier information-oriented, explaining that Motherhood entails ensuring women’s accessibility to all the information and services required to safely go through pregnancy and childbirth, including but not limited to parental care, promotion of maternal nutrition, adequate delivery assistance in all cases, provisions of obstetric (Care during preconception, pregnancy, childbirth and after delivery) and many other emergencies cum referral delivery services.
Meanwhile, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, represented by Dr. Bassey said the 2021 Safe Motherhood Day Celebration which is the directive of the Federal Ministry of Health was an annual event with the Slogan ” quality, equity and dignity for women”.
He stated that World Health Organization’s maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is 814 per 100,000 live births, which according to him, was very high and unacceptable.
He reiterated that Akwa Ibom State was aware of the fact that some women do not receive Antenatal care before, during, and after delivery, but would rather resort to Traditional Birth Attendants’ services which he said was not healthy and clinical for women.
Prof. Umoh said there were a lot of sensitization programs in different media of communication on the importance of supporting pregnant women to go through pregnancy, labour, and postnatal period safely and thus wondered while many would still make traditional birth activities their preferred choices.
“This call is for everyone especially the health care workers to always ensure that every pregnancy and childbirth is safe. The husbands should ensure that their pregnant wives attend ANC and deliver at the health facility”, He admonished.
“His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has equipped health facilities and has trained health worker to provide quality health care services to our women”, He added.
Goodwill messages were rendered by Engr. Utin Ntofon the Chairman BOT ARRDEC, Mrs. Grace Solomon Okon the coordinator of reproductive health unit Akwa Ibom State Ministry of health.
Others were Mr. Gima Forje CEO DY Danjuma Foundation and Director of Health Uruan Local Government Council Mrs. Rose Mfon Ukut.
Dignitaries present at the event were the Vice Chairman of Uruan Local government Area Evang. Mrs. Uduak Daniel Udoenang, Leader of the Legislature, Hon. Sunday Bassey, Hon. Afiong Okon, Hon Mfon Otu, and members of staff of Uruan Local Council.
The high point of the event was the donation of gift items to expectant mothers by the first lady of Uruan Local Government Area, Mrs. Ndifreke Iniobong Ekpenyong.
