Maternal Health Initiatives for Mothers, has raised concerns over the lack of healthcare access in rural communities, revealing that 58% of women in these areas do not have access to medical centers, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates.

They called on the government, NGOs and private entities to support efforts in ensuring safe births for expectant women in underserved communities.

The founder of the initiative, Dr. Sandra Uzodimma, disclosed this during a community seminar and outreach in Shetuko – Kuje, Abuja, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.

She also said that the initiative aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by providing necessary medical supplies and educating women on postpartum care and family planning.

Uzodimma, represented by her Personal assistant, Anero-Nnamdi Confidence, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring safe births for expectant women lacking access to proper healthcare.

The outreach, which is a follow-up to a previous visit in December, provided birthing kits and essential supplies to women in the community. Many of these women rely on home births or local midwives due to the absence of adequate healthcare facilities.

She said: “Last year, we distributed birthing kits to help women deliver safely at home or with midwives. Today, we are following up to ensure that they had safe deliveries and to educate them on postpartum health, which is often misunderstood.

“We are calling on the government and the public to partner with us so we can reach more mothers and communities beyond Kuje. Safe childbirth should not be a privilege but a right for all women.

“For those willing to support or collaborate, Maternal Health Initiatives remain open to partnerships aimed at expanding healthcare access and reducing maternal deaths in underserved areas.”

In addition to providing birthing kits, the seminar educated women on postpartum care and family planning, topics that are often misunderstood or neglected in the communities.

Confidence added, “This is just the beginning. We plan to expand beyond Kuje to ensure more women have safe, hygienic deliveries. But we need support, government assistance, partnerships, and funding to reach more communities.”

A beneficiary, Mrs. Mariam Musa, shared her experience, expressing gratitude for the support she received.

She said: “They have done a lot for me. When they came in December, they gave us packages for delivery items and it really helped.

“When my labor started, I used everything they gave me, even the diapers. We need a health facility in this community. In case of emergencies, we have nowhere to go except traveling far to town, which is difficult.”

Similarly, A counselor and CEO of Noble Voice Against Women and Child Violence, Naomi Akpan, praised the impact of the initiative.

She said: “Many of these women wouldn’t have been able to buy these essential items because they lack the financial means. Even men in the community have expressed gratitude. But we need the government to step in and provide long-term solutions.”