The Rotary Club of Kaduna Metropolitan has distributed over 70 birth kits to pregnant women at the Mando Primary Health Centre, Afaka.
Speaking at the event, President of the Rotary Club of Kaduna Metropolitan and President of the Rotary Action Group for Peace, Rotarian Luqman Babatunde, emphasized that the birth kits are not for sale but a gesture of support to assist expectant mothers, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.
According to him, the donation is part of a simultaneous effort across Kaduna State, noting that government alone cannot do everything, hence the need for support from non-governmental organizations and service clubs like Rotary.
He said the outreach was made possible through collaboration with MotherCat, a neighboring organization to the health center, to commemorate the Maternal and Child Health Month.
He encouraged the women to use the kits effectively and reminded them of Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, urging them to extend kindness to others whenever possible.
He further urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the kits.
Also speaking, District Governor of the Rotary Clubs, Rotarian Joy Okoro, represented by Rotarian Victor Majekodunmi, explained that many pregnant women who cannot afford delivery kits often deliver their babies at home in unsafe conditions.
He stressed that the donation was not from the government but rather from contributions by organizations and individuals who care about the wellbeing of the women, urging them to use the items responsibly.
On her part, the hospital matron, Hajiya Murjanatu Ahmed Rabiu, lamented that some expectant mothers hide the free delivery kits provided by government or development partners to demand money from their husbands.
She warned against such practices and stated that the names and phone numbers of today’s beneficiaries were recorded and, if necessary, husbands would be informed that their wives had received the free kits.
In a goodwill message, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Sahura Jibrin Maidoki, urged the pregnant women to show the birth kits to their husbands to relieve financial pressure and allow them to focus on providing other necessities. She also cautioned the women not to sell the drugs and toiletries contained in the kits.
Two beneficiaries, Salamatu Tijjani and Faith Tori, expressed gratitude to Rotary and its partners for the donation and promised to make good use of the items.
Some of the items distributed included antenatal drugs, bags, toiletries, pads, and diapers, among others.
The outreach, in line with Rotary International’s Maternal and Child Health Month, was attended by the President of the Rotary Club of Kaduna Main, Rotarian Ahmad Tijjani, other executive members of the club, as well as partners including MotherCat and NAWOJ.
COV: Naomi Anzaku Ekele
