NEWS
MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH BOOST IN ABA NORTH AS LADY NINA IHEKE FLAGS-OFF 2025 ROUND TWO HEALTH WEEK, DISTRIBUTES FREE DRUGS, NETS & FOOD ITEMS
The Wife of the Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Lady Nina Iheke, on Saturday, 6th December 2025, officially flagged-off the Round Two of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week, a state-wide medical initiative designed to improve healthcare for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children across Abia State.
The exercise, which took place at the Abia State Primary Healthcare Centre, Ogbor 1, was organized by the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA) in collaboration with the Office of Her Excellency, the Wife of the Executive Governor of Abia State, the State Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, alongside other development partners.
Addressing pregnant and nursing mothers, Lady Nina Iheke urged women in the district to maximize the government-sponsored free medical services, stressing that the Alex Otti-led administration has continued to invest heavily in quality healthcare for the protection of mothers and children.
She praised Governor Alex Chioma Otti and the Wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for what she described as a world-class healthcare facility under construction in Aba North, expressing confidence that the project, when completed, would meet international standards. She assured the public that the government is working tirelessly to complete the facility soon.
Lady Nina also advised women to prioritize proper nutrition, urging them to consume more vegetables and fruits to complement the medications they receive.
According to her, good feeding enhances the effectiveness of drugs and boosts immunity, especially for pregnant women and children.
After her address, Lady Nina distributed free essential drugs, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, edible food items, and various household items, promising that the MNCH initiative would continue to deliver greater benefits in the coming months.
In her welcome speech, the Health Authority Secretary (HAS) of Aba North, Mrs. Adaeze Ihuoma, thanked Lady Nina Iheke for honouring the event and encouraged women to maintain clean and hygienic environments, noting that a healthy environment is key to disease prevention.
A representative of Aba North Youths also applauded Lady Nina’s intervention, advising mothers to strictly adhere to medical prescriptions to achieve the desired results. He emphasized that healthcare is only effective when patients follow prescribed instructions and maintain proper sanitation.
Giving a vote of thanks, the representative of the Eze-in-Council of the Ogbor I Ancient Kingdom appreciated Lady Nina Iheke’s presence and lauded the Otti-led administration for prioritizing the wellbeing of communities in Abia. He described the initiative as a strong sign that the current government places human health above politics.
The 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week continues across Abia State, offering fully free healthcare services to eligible mothers and children within the designated period.