A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Halimat Jimoh, has highlighted the vital role of family support in safeguarding the health of women during pregnancy. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Jimoh explained that pregnant women, particularly first-time mothers, are highly vulnerable and need intensive care from their loved ones to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
She made the call during an outreach programme tagged MamaSafe Initiative, organised under The Midwife Next Door Foundation at the Primary Health Care Centre in Lugbe, Abuja. The initiative, she said, was designed to provide lifesaving supplies and support to more than 50 expectant mothers in the community as part of a contribution to local maternal health.
Jimoh, who is also the founder of the NGO and a trained midwife, explained that the project had three main components: the distribution of clean-birth kits to pregnant women, the provision of an emergency maternal care kit to the clinic, and the launch of a digital health support community. The clean-birth kits contained essential items such as maternity pads, cord clamps, gloves, and diapers, all aimed at reducing infections and complications during childbirth.
The outreach also included an educational session on recognising danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth, facilitated by maternal health educator Mrs. Cecilia Samuel. Jimoh said the session allowed participants to ask questions and receive practical guidance on ensuring safer pregnancies. She added that the women were given an opportunity to share their concerns and challenges, making the programme both interactive and impactful.
Despite still serving as a corps member, Jimoh expressed her belief that service to humanity should begin immediately and not be postponed. “Anyone carrying a life is in a critical state and requires extra monitoring to ensure both mother and child are safe. Service to humanity should not wait for tomorrow. It begins with what we can do today,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries described the initiative as timely given the current economic realities in the country. A man who accompanied his pregnant wife commended the foundation, noting that fathers also experience stress during pregnancy and welcomed the programme as support for families as a whole.