Wife of the governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, has advocated the need for support and provision of basic delivery kits to women in rural communities as a solution to the high maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Mrs. Obiano proffered the solution during her tour of Primary Healthcare centres and distribution of maternal delivery kits to pregnant women in Otuocha, and Enugwu-Agidi in Anambra East and Njikoka Local Government Areas respectively on Wednesday.

Addressing the women who turned out en mass at Otuocha and Enugwu-Agidi Health Centres, Obiano said that no woman should die at pregnancy or child birth when opportunities are available in this modern time to pregnant women to avoid life threatening complications during pregnancy, child birth or six weeks thereafter. She advocated the avoidance of the patronage of quacks and regular antenatal visits at Health Centres as the safest and best option for all pregnant women.

Also, she told the women that the state governor gives the welfare of women priority and does not want to hear that any woman could not deliver safely in any part of the state, and that is why he embarked on the renovation and rehabilitation of 63 Primary Healthcare centres across Anambra State.

Said Obiano, “I have come to support the effort of our governor, Chief Willie Obiano at promoting the health and safe delivery of pregnant mothers with donation of delivery kits otherwise known as Mama kit to some of you adjudged regulars at antennal clinics. The package I have is complete for safe child delivery; each pack contains all the tools needed by the midwives and health personnel and diaper, wrapper and mosquito net to protect mother and child from bites. I am also glad to note that the maternal death ratio of our state is improving consistently at 200 deaths per 100,000 deliveries which are below the national average which stand at 540 deaths per 100,000 deliveries.”

The wife of the governor called on the women to work hard to escape poverty by engaging in productive ventures that would assist their husbands and help sustain their families. She urged them to take advantage of the opportunities available under the programmes of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), which adds value to the lives of women in our society.‎

She outlined some projects of CAFÉ which provides succor and empowerment to indigent women and widows. Such as the Housing for indigent widows in each Senatorial zone, the building of toilets in rural markets across Anambra, as well as Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Training for over 2,500 women in various skills including; Tailoring and Fashion design, Soap making, Bakery and Confectionery, Hair dressing and Beauty Therapy, and Interior Decoration amongst other programmes.

In a brief remark, wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, assured Mrs. Obiano that the women are excited at the opportunity to interact and discuss their health needs and thanked her for visiting to promote antenatal attendance and safe delivery of pregnant women in Otuocha as well as Njikoka her local government Area.

Earlier, the Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health Anambra State, Mrs. Ebele Anaeme praised the intervention of the wife of the governor in support of safe delivery for pregnant mothers in Anambra through regular donation of Mama kits. We are very grateful for the free distribution of 40 packs of kits to pregnant mothers today and assure you that it will go a long way in ensuring safe delivery in our Primary Healthcare centres.

Also speaking, Head of Local Government Administration in Otucha, Mr. Simeon Okeke, and Njikoka Local Government, Mrs. Chinyere Nkaneme, welcomed the wife of the governor and expressed their appreciation for her remembering the pregnant mothers in the area. They asked her to convey their gratitude to the governor whom they agreed is doing well in the overall development of the state.

In their vote of thanks Chinwe Okechukwu thanked Mrs. Obiano for being a caring mother, while one of the beneficiaries of the Mama kit, Mrs. Happiness Arize, equally commended the dedication and commitment of the governor and his wife to the overall welfare of women. She called on pregnant mothers to make use of the antenatal clinics at the healthcare centres to avoid complications. She also prayed for God’s grace and protection for Mrs. Obiano whom she assured that the governor is overwhelmingly supported for second term in office.

•Photo shows, L-R; Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health Anambra State, Mrs. Ebele Anaeme, Head of Local Government Administration Njikoka Local Government, Mrs. Chinyere Nkaneme, Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano and Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke during tour of PHC at Enugwu-Agidi Primary Healthcare centre, Njikoka Local Government, Anambra State.

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