Ebonyi First Lady Launches Maternal Health Initiative

In a significant move to enhance healthcare delivery in Ebonyi State, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has officially launched the Baby Shower Initiative and Maternity Day, a health-focused programme aimed at supporting pregnant women and nursing mothers across the state.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mrs Nwifuru described the initiative as a compassionate and strategic collaboration between the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO).

I stressed the importance of the initiative as a compassionate and strategic intervention of the Ministry of Health and BERWO Foundation, focused on giving mothers access to maternal care, health education, and basic necessities.#BERWO #babyshower pic.twitter.com/WUjZa6gzzx

— H.E Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru (@UzoamakaNwifuru) May 17, 2025

“The Baby Shower Initiative is not just about gifts and celebration. It is our way of saying: You are not alone. We see you. We support you. And we are here for you,” she stated.

She urged women to take antenatal and postnatal care seriously by heeding professional medical advice, stressing that, “Every mother deserves dignity, every baby deserves a healthy start, and no woman should die while giving life.”

Focus on Access, Education and Impact

Commissioner for Health, Dr Ikenna Moses Ekuma, emphasised the goal of the initiative, which is to encourage pregnant women to register for antenatal care at primary healthcare centres, general hospitals, and other approved facilities across the state.

“We want women to register, attend antenatal training, deliver their babies in health facilities, and ensure their children receive full immunisation,” he said.

Read Also: Ebonyi First Lady Urges Antenatal, Postnatal Care Compliance

Dr Ekuma praised the First Lady’s health interventions, revealing that over 4,000 pregnant women and 300 sickle cell warriors have already been enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme.

He noted that the initiative is already contributing to a decline in maternal mortality across Ebonyi.

Targeting Rural Communities

Prof. Nkechi Echiagu, Team Lead of the BERWO Foundation, disclosed that the programme targets 17,000 women across 171 selected rural healthcare centres in the state.

“Women in urban areas already have access to better healthcare. Our focus is on those who still rely on traditional birth attendants. This initiative encourages them to transition to formal healthcare,” she said.

She also commended health workers for their dedication and described them as key allies in reducing maternal mortality and building healthier families.

A Turning Point for Sustainability

According to the Desk Officer for the Baby Shower Initiative, Ngozi Aloh, the flag-off marks a turning point in the state’s ownership and sustainability of the programme.

“Today, Her Excellency has officially handed this over to the state. That means sustainability is now in place,” she said.

She added that the initiative is already delivering results, “We are covering 171 facilities across all LGAs. The baby items distributed today – diapers, wipes, mama kits, oils – show our commitment. We believe this initiative will become a model for other states.”

Mothers Express Gratitude

The event featured the distribution of free baby items to expectant and nursing mothers.

Beneficiaries including Okwuchukwu Ifeoma and Mbam Lucy expressed deep gratitude to the First Lady, describing the gesture as timely and life-changing for women, especially in underserved communities.