By Ibironke Ariyo
A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Halimat Jimoh, has emphasised the importance of family support in ensuring the health of women during pregnancy.
Jimoh, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said that women were vulnerable during pregnancy and required intensive care, particularly first-time mothers.
She said that the call was necessary following an outreach programme tagged ‘MamaSafe Initiative’, which was facilitated under The Midwife Next Door Foundation at Primary Health Care Centre, Lugbe, Abuja.
She, however, explained that the initiative was designed to provide lifesaving supplies and support to more than 50 expectant mothers in the community.
According to her, we simply wanted to contribute our quota to our immediate community.
“One thing we discovered is that pregnant women are vulnerable, and they deserve to be supported, especially by their immediate families.
“Anyone carrying a life is in a critical state, and requires extra monitoring routine to ensure both mother and child are safe. Family support during pregnancy is crucial,
Jimoh noted that the initiative had three components including the distribution of clean-birth kits to expectant mothers, equipping the clinic with an emergency maternal care kit, and launching a digital health support community.
She said that the clean-birth kits contained essential items such as maternity pads, cord clamps, gloves and diapers, aimed at reducing infection and complications during childbirth.
She added that the outreach also featured a session on recognising danger signs in Pregnancy and childbirth and what to do, facilitated by one Mrs Cecilia Samuel, a seasoned maternal health educator.
According to Jimoh, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and were given actionable steps for safer pregnancies.
“We didn’t just do the talking. We also gave these women the opportunity to express their concerns and challenges.
“We are happy that they benefited from the little initiative, and are hopeful that we can continue the initiative for greater impact,” she added.
Jimoh, who doubled as the Founder of the NGO, a trained midwife and maternal health advocate, said that despite still serving as a corps member, she believed every birth should be a celebration.
“Service to humanity should not wait for tomorrow. It begins with what we can do today,” she said.
Meanwhile, some of the beneficiaries described the gesture as timely, given the current economic realities in the country.
A man, who accompanied his pregnant wife to the clinic, commended the foundation, saying: “Fathers also carry a lot of stress during this time, and this initiative is a support for us as well.”
