The 11th edition of Martha's Pregnacare Outreach, a flagship reproductive health program of the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-initiative FEYReP, today, Monday November 21,2022, held at the Ibom hall, Uyo, with over 400 expectant mothers as beneficiaries.
At the event, the women which were drawn from the 31 LGAs of the state, were advised to help reduce infant and maternal morbidity by avoiding the patronage of quacks, but to take advantage of antenatal care to ensure safe delivery.
Wife of Akwa Ibom Governor and progenitor of FEYReP, Her Excellency Dr (Mrs.) Martha Udom Emmanuel, while delivering her remarks, said the program was initiated to help educate pregnant women on the facts and myths of pregnancy and as well ensure safe delivery.
Dr. Emmanuel who distributed delivery packs which contained toiletories, diapers, clothings and sanitary towels for mother added that the program over the years held has impacted over 4000 women especially from the rural communities.
"No woman deserves to die during pregnancy, hence with the support of my dear husband, we came up with this program to address the issue of child and mother deaths during childbirth. I must say that when we started, very few rural women embraced the culture of antenatal; but as of today and from the report we are getting, our women have now embraced antenatal care courtesy of our sustained efforts," said Emmanuel.
The First Lady advised the expectant mothers on the need for balanced diets and taking of Vitamin A fortified foods, exclusive breast feeding, family planning, and opting for caesarean operation if need arises.
She defied lots of myths associated with pregnancy, urging expectant mothers to prepare themselves psychologically, financially and emotionally before delivery.
Earlier in her tone setting, the FEYReP coordinator, Dr Idorenyin Ekanem noted that since the inception of Martha's Pregnacare, they have been able to reach out to about 3,221 pregnant women in the Rural Communities across the State, which the programme was targeted and has curtailed infant mortality and maternal mobidity.
Lectures were delivered on Nutrition During pregnancy, Post Delivery and Early Childhood, by Dr. Eno Mkpang, Antenatal care: Key to Healthy Pregnancy and Child Health, by Dr. Mary Udo, the Facts and Myths of Caesarean Operation, by Prof. Imaobong Inwang and Nutrition and Health benefits of Vitamin A crops presented by Prof Edna Akpan.
They all harped on the need for exclusive breastfeeding, as it will prevent breast and ovarian cancers also serve as family planning, and highlighted the advantages of balanced diets in pregnancy.
Some previous and present beneficiaries testified on the advantages of the training and thanked the governor's wife for her kind gesture. The event featured featured free medical check up.
Dignitaries at the event were the wife of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan and her Education counterpart, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, Wives of Commissioners, female local government chairmen and wives of local government chairmen also registered their presence.
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