By Ekunkonye Junior, Abuja
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ms. Halimat Jimoh, has emphasized the importance of family support for pregnant women’s health through a community outreach program in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As the CEO of The Midwife Next Door Foundation, Jimoh led the MamaSafe Initiative, providing 50 expectant mothers with essential supplies and medicare at a Primary Health Care Centre in Lugbe.
The outreach program had three key components of the kits contained maternity pads, cord clamps, gloves and diapers to reduce infection and complications during childbirth, the clinic was equipped with necessary medical supplies to ensure safe deliveries and a platform for expectant mothers to access health information and support.
Through the initiative, the foundation facilitated knowledge-sharing sessions, including a discussion on recognizing danger signs in pregnancy and childbirth. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and learn actionable steps for safer pregnancies.
Jimoh stressed that family support is crucial during pregnancy, especially for first-time mothers.
As a trained midwife and maternal health advocate, Jimoh believes every birth should be a celebration.
She emphasized the importance of community and government support for pregnant women, particularly in a plural society where needs can vary greatly.
A husband who accompanied his wife to the centre praised the initiative, describing it as timely and expressing gratitude to the foundation.
He noted that the program was a support not just for expectant mothers but also for fathers, who often carry significant stress during this period.
