ETINAN COUNCIL PARTNERS OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY TO MARK 2026 WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK WITH GIFTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS
Pregnant women and nursing mothers in Etinan Local Government Area had cause to smile as the Ibom Open Maternity Project stormed the Primary Health Centre Base along Secretariat Road, Etinan to celebrate world breastfeeding week 2026.
The outreach forms part of the ongoing IOM Medical Mission aimed at boosting maternal and child health through the distribution of essential care packages and medical support to beneficiaries.
Representing the Executive Chairman of Etinan LGA, Hon. Uko Umoh, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Imaobong Michael, thanked the organizers of the Ibom Open Maternity Project for selecting Etinan as one of the host communities for the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week activities. She described the initiative as timely and impactful.
The Council boss reiterated the readiness of his administration to partner individuals and organisations that seek to promote the well-being of mothers and children.
Hon Uko Umoh commended the coordinator,office of the First Lady, Noble Lady Helen Eno Obareki,for bringing this awareness to the doorsteps of women in our various communities.
Leading the delegation from the Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, the GIFA Team Lead, Pastor Anne Abraham, highlighted the advantages of exclusive breastfeeding. According to her, it boosts a baby’s immune system, supports healthy growth and development, and helps reduce infant deaths.
She noted that the programme was delivered in collaboration with CARELIFE Character Foundation, ALGON, WALGON, IbomAir, ECEWS, and CCCRN under the Maternal and Child Healthcare component of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA). She encouraged beneficiaries to make full use of the antenatal, postnatal and other health services provided by the team of medical professionals at the event.
In her goodwill message, Mrs. Emily Uko Umoh, wife of the Council Chairman, lauded the Carelife Character Foundation for extending the IOM Project to rural areas. She pledged her support for GIFA and other interventions that bring relief and better healthcare to women and children. She also appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his commitment to quality health care delivery.
She further urged mothers to attend antenatal clinics regularly, practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, maintain good nutrition, ensure routine immunization, and follow medical advice for the wellbeing of both mother and child.
The highpoints of the programme were the distribution of GIFA Patcare packs and gift items by the wife of the Etinan Council Chairman to expectant and nursing mothers, free medical checks, lab tests and counseling, as well as on-the-spot enrollment into the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme by officials of the Agency.
