By Bashir Hassan
No fewer than 100 pregnant women in Bauchi State have received essential safe delivery kits from the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central in a move aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths and improving access to quality maternal healthcare.
The intervention, carried out at the Yelwa Primary Healthcare Centre, forms part of Rotary International's commitment to advancing maternal and child health by supporting vulnerable expectant mothers with essential delivery materials and promoting healthy pregnancy practices.
Speaking during the outreach, President of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, Rtn. Comfort Attah, said the initiative was designed to bridge critical healthcare gaps affecting pregnant women, particularly those unable to afford basic delivery supplies.
She stressed that providing safe delivery kits alone would not guarantee healthy outcomes unless complemented by regular antenatal care, proper nutrition, and prompt medical attention.
"A clean birthing kit provides a safe start, but a healthy mother secures a child's future. We encourage all expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinics regularly, eat nutritious meals and seek timely medical care. Protecting the lives of mothers and newborns begins with informed healthcare decisions," she said.
Also speaking, Past President Pam Dauda urged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding and maintain good hygiene practices to protect newborns from preventable illnesses.
According to him, breast milk remains a baby's first line of defence against infections, while simple hygiene measures such as regular handwashing significantly reduce childhood diseases and improve survival.
The Head of the Maternal and Child Health Committee, Hajia Hassana, explained that each kit contains sterile gloves, umbilical cord clamps, gauze, surgical soap, delivery mats and other essential items needed for safe childbirth, helping to reduce the risk of infections during delivery at health facilities or emergency home births.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club, describing the support as timely and impactful amid the rising cost of maternal healthcare and delivery materials.
Beyond the distribution of the kits, the outreach featured health education sessions, one-on-one counselling and referrals to the Yelwa Primary Healthcare Centre to encourage continuous antenatal care and safe delivery.
The Rotary Club of Bauchi Central reaffirmed its commitment to working with government health authorities, healthcare providers and community leaders to improve maternal and child health outcomes and ensure that no woman dies from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
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