Wife of Enugu state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah’ has launched her Non -Governmental Organization, named, “CUSTOS Care Foundation”, to eradicate maternal- child mortality and improve the well-being of mothers and children in the state.
Pix- Enugu State Governor’s wife, Mrs Mbah
Speaking at the launching held at the Basic Health Center, Oji- River Urban, Oji-River Local Government Area , Enugu West senatorial zone and Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu East senatorial zone on Thursday,19Th February, 2024, respectively, Mrs Mbah said, the foundation is born out of a desire to eradicate all barriers to social inclusion and social security.
At the launching which was also held at Health Center,Nsukka on Friday ,March 1, the Governor’s wife explained that she was motivated by the possibility of having a society where everyone is free from socio- economic induced levels of vulnerability.
According to her, the foundation focuses on four key areas, which include mother and child healthcare and welfare; primary education for all; women and youth empowerment; social protection and mentorship”.
Pix- Oji- River L.G.A. Chairman, Onyeagba
The Governor’s wife disclosed that the launch was an aspect of the foundation’s numerous projects, which is the mother and child healthcare and welfare project in the Local Government Area.
“This project is very dear to me because women and children constitute the most vulnerable people in our society. It is worthy of note that one of the most significant challenges faced by women and children is maternal and child mortality. The world has battled against this enemy since time immemorial and stands united to eradicate it. There is nothing as painful as the death of a mother and child. The United Nations, through the sustainable development goals, is working towards reducing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
“They are also committed to ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to as low as 12 per: 1,000 live births and under five years of age mortality rate to as low as 12 per 1,000 live births.
“Our country, Nigeria, accounts for the second-highest number of maternal and child deaths globally. This information was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a 2023 report titled “Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing still births”.
“The findings of this report are heart-wrenching because poor economic conditions of these mothers and lack of proper health education have been identified as contributory factors. Many mothers can’t afford to seek healthcare services when the need arises because they can’t afford it. If we are to pull ourselves from this position, we have to start making individual effort”, she said.
Mrs Mbah said Enugu State Government has been trying to achieve the global 2030 targets for mothers and hoped that by 2030, the state will be free from maternal and child mortality.
” This is why I have decided that my foundation (Custos Care Foundation, will contribute towards achieving these targets, and by the Grace of God, we will accomplish this by partnering with relevant agencies and Individuals”, Mrs Mbah said.
She announced that CUSTOS Care Foundation will start the project by paying a one-year health insurance premium for 33 mothers in the Local Government Area.
The health insurance premium she said, will cover children below the age of five. to support their welfare. The foundation will also give newly born and their mothers a hamper, to cushion the immediate impact of the harsh economic conditions of the nation on mother.
She added that other vulnerable mothers and children across the state will be included in the program with time .
Pix- Nkanu West L.G.A. Chairman, Ejim
“I urge other thriving community members to partner with the foundation to support more vulnerable women and children to have access to a better life through access to quality healthcare and services, Together, we can achieve Enugu State that is maternal and child mortality-free, she said.
In Oji- River, the Local Government Chairman, Chinedu Onyeagba,assured that the programme will be sustained. He thanked the Governor ‘s wife for making his Local Government Area a pioneer beneficiary of the project.
He advised women to key into the programme for their children’s development and well-being.
In Agbani, Oji-Agu Agbani Health Center, the Local Government Chairman, Uchenna Ejim, thanked the wife of the Governor for choosing Agbani as one of the venues for the launch in Enugu East zone.
He highlighted some of the projects he had executed at the Health center,which included the renovated the Health Centre abandoned for 5 years, provision of water, energizing of the health center which had no electricity supply in the past 10 Years among others.
Pix- Igwe Ogbuke
In his brief remarks, Igwe Okey Ogbuke, Onuoha 11 of Amodu Okowa Awkunanwa, thanked the Governor’s wife for choosing as one of the venues for the flag-off of the foundation.
Dr Uzoamaka Okenwa – Uzoechi, gave health talk on proper nutrition for mothers.
The launch was also held at Nsukka Health Center, Nsukka local Government Area of Enugu North senatorial. zone on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Pix- Dr Okenwa-Uzoechi
Mrs Mbah reiterated her desire to eliminate maternal- child mortality in the state. She urged community members to partner the foundation to support more vulnerable women and children to have access to a better life through access to quality healthcare and services, saying , “together, we can achieve an Enugu State that is maternal and child mortality-free.”
Delivering gifted items to women, the Governor’s wife said the hampers would help cushion the Immediate impact of the harsh economic conditions in the country on mother and child.
In his speech, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government , Walter Ozioko ,thanked Mrs Mbah for the launch in Nsukka. He assured support for the Foundation, saying, ” I will personally support tbe CUSTOS Care Foundation to succeed”. He said they will educate mothers and encourage them to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the Foundation.
Pix- Mrs Mbah carrying twins.
Author- Maureen Ikpeama