Scores of Women Receive Lifeline from Martha’s Pregnacare Outreach

Over 200 expectant mothers’ from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state, Wednesday, converged on the prestigious Ibom Hall for the Martha’s Pregnacare Outreach, the sixth in the series.

At the programme tagged : Pregnancy , Childbirth and Beyond, an initiative of Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP), to combat maternal mortality and child morbidity, the women received financial support and as well took delivery of maternity kits courtesy of the governor’s wife, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel.

In her remarks during the event, the progenitor of FEYReP, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, said the outreach became necessary to help educate and assist expectant mothers in the state cope with the demands of pregnancy.

She noted that when the programme started few years ago, she realized many women in the state were not use to going for antenatal, but that as a result of the programme, many have now embraced it.

“When we started this programme some years back, many of our women didn’t use to go for antenatal and that made the state record a very high percentage in maternal mortality, I thank God that as a result of our engagement, we now have more women go for antenatal and this has contributed significantly to the drop in deaths during childbirth,” She stated.

The governor’s wife admonished that pregnant women should always seek proper medical attention on time to help detect any defect in pregnancy, stating that patronage of traditional birth attendants have sent many to early grave.

Speaking on nutrition, she advised the women on dietary during pregnancy, saying whatever they take has a ripple effect on the development of baby. She also called for exclusive breastfeeding in the first few months of delivery, adding that this goes a long way in developing the child’s health.

On family planning, Dr. Emmanuel said it was disturbing to note that some women were not always prepared for the coming of their babies even after nine months, stating it was a sign of failure on their part.

She advised the women to have the number of children within their economic capacity, so as not to pose a problem for the society.

Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan in her remarks, advised the women to adhere wholly to the teachings and as well called for prayers for the first family.

She added that Dr. Emmanuel has been committed to empowering Akwa Ibom families, saying her positive exploits are irreplaceable in the annals of history.

Earlier in her brief welcome remarks, the coordinator of FEYReP, Mrs. Ime Inyang appreciated the governor’s wife for the programme, saying from inception about 2 years ago, it has been geared at addressing the high rate of infant morbidity and maternal mortality in the state.

Inyang added that despite the Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged many countries and the crushing economic effects of it, Dr. Emmanuel’s tireless passion for bringing succor to many families still propelled her to hold the programme.

Health talk by a consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Mary Udoh on the topic: “Safe Motherhood and Promotion of Organic Nutrition for Newborns” and “The Facts and Myth of Cesarean Section”, delivered by a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Imaobong Inwang, enlightened the women on the do’s and don’ts during pregnancy.

The resource persons unanimously spoke against pregnant mothers’ patronage of Traditional Birth Attendants and charged them to always engage in proper medical check-ups in order to detect any anomaly during pregnancy. They thanked the governor’s wife for the platform to educate the pregnant women, saying it will drastically reduce the tide in the state.

Special questions and answers segment was also introduced, where the medical personnel responded to questions asked by the pregnant women.

In a vote of thanks, Mrs. Janet Ifiok who spoke on behalf of the expectant mothers appreciated the governor’s wife for the educative platform provided them and promised to heed to the teachings given.

(C) Koko Udonquak
August 26, 2020