The wife of Ebonyi governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has urged pregnant women not to treat antenatal and postnatal care issues with levity.

Mrs Nwifuru made the call while inaugurating her Baby Shower Initiative and Maternity Day in Abakaliki, and urged women not to joke with advice from health professionals.

She said the baby shower initiative was a health-focused programme to support pregnant women and nursing mothers across the state.

The governor’s wife stated that every pregnant or nursing mother deserved to live a healthy life, saying, “So take professional medical advice seriously.”

Mrs Nwifuru said the initiative was a strategic collaboration between the state Health Ministry and her foundation, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons.

“The initiative will give mothers access to maternal care, health education and basic necessities. It is not just about gifts and celebrations.

“The initiative is our way of showing Ebonyi women that they are not alone. We shall meet with them, hear from them, and we shall support them,” she said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, said the initiative would encourage more pregnant women to register for antenatal care at approved health facilities for professional attention.

“The aim is for pregnant women to come out, register for antenatal training, deliver their babies in health facilities, and get complete immunisation for their children,” he said.

Mr Ekuma commended the governor’s wife for her health interventions, saying no fewer than 4,000 pregnant women had enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme.

The commissioner further stated that the initiative would significantly contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality in the state.

Some beneficiaries commended the governor’s wife for the initiative, describing it as a good omen to many families.

One of them, Ifeoma Okwuchukwu, urged Mrs Nwifuru to keep up the good work in the interest of humanity.

(NAN)