More than 1,000 pregnant women in Akamkpa Local Government Area are set to benefit from a new initiative providing essential antenatal care (ANC) kits. The program, a collaboration between Cross River State Governor Sen. Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, his wife Bishop Dr. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Akamkpa Local Government Council, aims to improve maternal and child health in the region.
The kits were distributed to frontline health workers across the ten political wards of Akamkpa during a ceremony. Mr. Maurice Asengita, Supervisor for Health, representing Council Chairman Hon. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI, emphasized the program’s focus on practical support for vulnerable populations.
“This initiative demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to safeguarding maternal and child health at the grassroots level,” said Asengita. He also expressed gratitude to development partners like Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and CHAMPS for their ongoing contributions to local healthcare.
Local Government Deputy Director of Health, Mrs. Agnes Itabang, praised the state administration for prioritizing maternal health, stating the kits will encourage early antenatal visits and improve pregnancy outcomes. “This is a major boost to our work and will help ensure our women receive the care they need throughout pregnancy,” she said.
The distribution of antenatal kits aligns with Governor Otu’s focus on people-first governance and echoes his wife’s advocacy for reducing preventable deaths among pregnant women and newborns.
This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to improved maternal and infant health outcomes in Akamkpa.
