RismadarVoice Reporters, July 30, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (AKSPHCDA) has pledged its full support for the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity (IOM) Project, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to maternal and child healthcare services across the state.
The assurance was given by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Eno Attah, during an advocacy visit by members of the IOM Project team to the agency’s headquarters in Uyo.
Dr Attah described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under the age of five. She said the agency would deploy its community-based structures, technical expertise and grassroots network to ensure the success of the programme.
According to her, although the agency may face financial limitations, it possesses the institutional capacity and outreach mechanisms needed to reach vulnerable women and children in communities throughout Akwa Ibom State.
She noted that the agency’s annual World Breastfeeding Week activities provide an opportunity for collaboration, adding that partnering with the IOM Project would enable health workers to reach a larger number of mothers and infants.
Dr Attah welcomed the expansion of the programme from seven local government areas covered in 2025 to 20 LGAs for the 2026 edition, describing the development as evidence of the project’s growing relevance and impact.
She stressed that closer collaboration between the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies would strengthen the programme’s implementation, ownership and long-term sustainability.
The Executive Secretary also commended the organisers for extending the programme beyond the traditional one-week World Breastfeeding Week celebration to a two-week integrated healthcare outreach, assuring the team of the agency’s continued technical and institutional support.
Speaking on behalf of the project team, Dr Akan Mark thanked the agency for its collaboration during the maiden edition of the initiative in 2025, noting that its support played a significant role in the programme’s success.
He disclosed that activities for the 2026 edition would begin with an advocacy road walk on August 1, followed by integrated medical outreach programmes in participating communities from August 3 to August 13. The programme will conclude with a grand finale dinner on August 14 at Ibom Hall in Uyo.
Dr Mark said the 2025 edition of the IOM Project provided healthcare services to more than 17,000 beneficiaries across seven local government areas. He added that the expanded 2026 programme is expected to reach over 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as 20,000 children under the age of five in 20 local government areas.
He attributed the project’s expansion to increasing support from government agencies, professional associations and development partners, noting that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to reducing preventable maternal and child health challenges and improving access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
Among those present during the advocacy visit were the Director of Community Health Services, Mrs Uduak Akpan; the Director of Health Promotion, Mrs Nsidibe Edet; a representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Makan Mfon; a representative of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); and the Director of Safe Motherhood.
