The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has donated 1,212 (one thousand two hundred and twelve) Mama Kits to Anambra State Government for pregnant women.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, commended UNICEF for donating the Mama kits. Receiving the Mama Kits on behalf of Governor Soludo in Awka, the state capital on Tuesday, he stated that the kits will be shared to pregnant women in the state especially, those in hard to reach areas.
Dr. Obidike said that no fewer than 100 babies were delivered in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps across the state during the 2022 flood disaster.
The Commissioner while receiving the Mama kits noted that during last year’s flood disaster the wife of the governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo played an important role by donating 1,000 Mama kits and sponsored free antenatal care to the IDPs.
“She is someone that is passionate about the plights of mothers, pregnant women and through her appeal Development Partners and UNICEF supported the state.
“This will greatly assist women in having proper deliveries, reduce costs and urged pregnant women to always go for antenatal care.’’
Dr. Obidike explained that during the flooding, many pregnant women ran out of their homes for safety without packing their delivery kits.
He described Mama kit as an all-in-one kit that provides prospective mothers with everything they need to have a sanitary and safe delivery, it helps prevent and reduce maternal death.
“Mackintosh, olive oil, umbilical cord ligature, surgical knife, baby wrapper, laundry soap, gloves, cotton wool, and small gauze as some of the items in the kit.’’
The Commissioner said that the state government was intensifying efforts to improve maternal health while encouraging pregnant women to deliver at a health facility.
According to him, Governor Charles Soludo administration is committed to eradicating maternal deaths in the state.
Earlier, Dr. Uju Okoye, State Reproductive Health Coordinator, said that the kits were donated to relieve the state emergency flood response as well as reduce the burden and cost of delivery in the state.
“From our data, there was a slight increase in maternal deaths due to the 2022 flood disaster and this is one of the interventions to reduce such deaths,’’ Okoye stated.
