By: Theresa Donatus, Uyo.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and other development partners have launched the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity Week, a two-week maternal and child health intervention aimed at improving healthcare access for women and children across 20 local government areas of the state.
The initiative, which began with an awareness road walk through major streets of Uyo on Saturday, starting from the Glob, is expected to deliver free antenatal care, nutrition counselling, HIV screening, medical consultations, health education and breastfeeding advocacy from August 3 to August 14, before culminating in a grand finale at Ibom Hall.
The campaign is coordinated by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, the Akwa Ibom State Primary Health Care Development Agency (AKSPHCDA), the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and CareLife Character Foundation, with support from WHO, UNICEF, ECEWS, KNCV Nigeria, Society for Family Health (SFH), Helen Keller International, Heartland Alliance, MSI Nigeria, Ibom Air, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other development partners.
Representing the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Inibehe Etukudo, described the road walk as the official commencement of a wider medical intervention designed to bring quality healthcare closer to women and children, particularly in rural communities.
She said the programme demonstrates Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare and reducing preventable maternal and child deaths across the state.
Etukudo urged women to enrol in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme (AKSHIS) to access free healthcare services and appealed to wives of local government chairmen, women’s groups, traditional institutions and non-governmental organisations to intensify sensitisation ahead of the outreach.
“I want the wives of chairmen, NCWS, MWAN and other NGOs to begin sensitisation immediately in their various communities so that women will be aware of what Ibom Open Maternity is bringing to their local government areas. We want to see a good turnout because this is the time for mothers and children to enjoy quality healthcare,” she said.
The campaign coincides with global efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding, which the World Health Organization recommends for the first six months of life, followed by complementary feeding while breastfeeding continues for up to two years or beyond.
According to WHO and UNICEF, optimal breastfeeding has the potential to prevent more than 820,000 child deaths annually worldwide, while improving child nutrition, strengthening immunity and reducing healthcare costs associated with childhood illnesses.
Speaking at the event, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of WHO, Kolude Olufunmilola, called on employers, families and communities to create supportive environments that enable nursing mothers to breastfeed successfully.
She described breastfeeding as a proven intervention for improving child survival, healthy growth and emotional bonding.
President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Dr. Mary Udo, said the association was proud to partner in the initiative, noting that sustained awareness campaigns were already encouraging more mothers to breastfeed their babies for up to two years in line with global health recommendations.
She said the benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond infants to mothers, families and society by reducing disease burden and improving overall health outcomes.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Wives of Local Government Chairmen (WALGON), Mrs. Akaninyene Udo, disclosed that the medical outreach would provide beneficiaries with antenatal care, nutritional counselling, HIV screening, routine medical examinations and other essential healthcare services.
She said wives of local government chairmen would collaborate with health workers to mobilise women across the participating councils to ensure the programme’s success.
Similarly, the State President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Hon. Idongesit Okoko, pledged continued grassroots mobilisation to ensure that women benefit from the free healthcare services and understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, also used the event to reinforce public awareness on breastfeeding.
Led by its Chairman, Comrade Nsikak Okon, members of the association joined the awareness road walk from Globe Roundabout through Barracks Road, Ibom Plaza and Aka Road to Unity Park, where they engaged residents, motorists and traders on the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
Drawing from personal experience, Okon said she breastfed her last set of twins until they were two years old.
“I watched my children grow stronger every day. They hardly fell ill, developed well physically and mentally, and the bond we shared became even stronger through breastfeeding,” she said.
She described breast milk as “nature’s first vaccine,” explaining that it provides all the nutrients required during the first six months of life while protecting infants against diarrhoea, respiratory infections and other childhood diseases.
Okon added that breastfeeding also benefits mothers by promoting faster recovery after childbirth, reducing postpartum bleeding and lowering the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Health experts at the event noted that the Ibom Open Maternity Project represents a strategic investment in preventive healthcare, particularly as Nigeria continues to face high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
