Akwa Ibom Targets 12,000 Pregnant Women, 20,000 Children In Maternity Drive
The Akwa Ibom State Government has launched the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project, a statewide maternal and child healthcare initiative expected to provide free medical services to more than 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 20,000 children.
The programme, flagged off with a road walk in Uyo to mark this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, will run from August 1 to 14 across 20 local government areas.
Representing the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Inibehe Etukudo, said the initiative reflects Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to expanding quality healthcare, especially for women and children in rural communities.
She urged stakeholders to mobilise beneficiaries and encouraged women to enrol in the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme for access to free healthcare services.
Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Akwa Ibom chapter, President Mary Udo, described breastfeeding as vital to the health of mothers, children and society, while the World Health Organization (WHO) called on families, employers and communities to create supportive environments for nursing mothers.
The outreach will provide antenatal care, nutrition counselling, HIV screening, medical assessments and other maternal and child health services before concluding with a grand finale at Ibom Hall, Uyo, on August 14.
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