Akwa Ibom State lawmaker, Moses Essien, receiving an award during Open Maternity Project ceremony in Uyo
Open Maternity Project (OMP), a private initiative focused on improving maternal and child healthcare, has set a target of reaching 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as 22,000 children under the age of five across Akwa Ibom State in 2026.
The initiative marks a significant expansion from last year’s programme, which covered about 17,000 women in seven local government areas, reflecting the project’s growing reach and impact.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, Moses Essien, disclosed this during the 2026 Ibom Open Maternity Project (IOM2026) organised by the CareLife Character Foundation in Uyo.
The event formed part of activities commemorating the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week and attracted development and healthcare partners, including Helen Keller, GIFA and ECEWS.
Essien said the initiative complements Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and reducing preventable maternal and child deaths across the state.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting policies and legislative actions that would improve the healthcare system while stressing the importance of sustained collaboration between government and development partners.
The lawmaker, who received the IOM Distinguished Champion Award in recognition of his advocacy for maternal and child health, dedicated the honour to mothers and children.
“The wellbeing of mothers and children is a fundamental investment in our future,” he said.
Essien also commended the CareLife Character Foundation for its consistent interventions in maternal and child healthcare, especially in expanding access to quality health services for vulnerable women and children across Akwa Ibom.
He further encouraged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as essential to the healthy growth and development of infants.
According to him, breastfeeding should continue to be promoted through public enlightenment, community participation and adequate support for nursing mothers.
Earlier, the Convener and President of the CareLife Character Foundation, Aniekeme Gorge, said the Ibom Open Maternity Project was established to promote exclusive breastfeeding while encouraging open communication between pregnant women and healthcare providers.
Gorge disclosed that the 2026 edition reached more than 20,000 people across 20 local government areas of the state, a significant increase from the seven councils covered during the previous edition.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Eno Attah, underscored the importance of breastfeeding and called for sustained support for programmes that advance maternal and child health.
The programme attracted pregnant and breastfeeding women from all 20 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
