As part of efforts to enhance maternal and newborn health, the Cross River State Government, under the leadership of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, has launched the distribution of Antenatal Care (ANC) Mama’s Kits and Postnatal Kits.
The official flag-off ceremony took place at the State Cold Store in Calabar and was led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr (Mrs) Vivien Mesembe Otu. She described the initiative as a vital step in providing essential support to expectant and new mothers, highlighting it as a reflection of the “People First” agenda of Governor Otu and the compassionate involvement of his wife, Her Excellency Bishop Dr (Mrs) Eyoanwan Otu.
She highlighted that this initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of residents, especially women and children.
Dr Otu noted that the initiative, tagged The IMPACT Project, has played a significant role in strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system. She emphasized the importance of collaboration in making the project a reality.
She further disclosed that the first phase of the distribution targets Primary Healthcare Centres across five Local Government Areas which includes Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, and Odukpani, with plans to scale the programme across all 196 Primary Healthcare Centres in the state’s 18 LGAs as more kits are produced.
In their separate remarks, beneficiaries from the pilot phase LGAs expressed heartfelt appreciation to Governor Bassey Otu, his compassionate wife, Her Excellency Eyoanwan Otu, and the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivien Otu, for the laudable initiative. They described the distribution of the ANC Mama’s and Postnatal Kits as a timely and impactful intervention that will greatly improve maternal and child health outcomes across the state.
A key highlight of the event was the formal presentation of the ANC Mama’s Kits, which contain essential items including a Mama kit bag, wrapper, mackintosh, baby clothes, cotton wool, antiseptic liquid, baby soap, cord clamp, surgical blade, surgical gloves, baby oil, baby wipes, diapers, sanitary pads, and olive oil.
The Postnatal Kits, distributed at immunization points, include baby oil, baby lotion, baby wipes, baby jelly, baby soap, baby powder, and diapers, ensuring continued care and hygiene for both mother and child post-delivery.
