Abia Community Records Low Infant, Maternal Deaths

The Ovim Women Improvement Union in Isikwuato Local
Government Area of Abia State, says the area has recorded zero death resulting
from child birth for about 10 years.

The President of the union, Mrs Helen Ikokwe,  said the achievement was recorded because
pregnant women in Ovim were banned from patronising quacks.

She spoke last Saturday in Ovim, at the biennial home coming
of members of the union and fund raising for the construction of a N15 million
skills acquisition centre.

“We are pleased to announce that no Ovim woman has lost her
life during child birth in the last 10 years. “This is because of our stand
that no woman from our community should deliver at unapproved hospital.’’

Ikokwe, who reviewed the activities of the union, said that
many women were assisted to set up their own businesses.

The union president appreciated the contributions of some
members of the community, especially the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike
Ihejerika and Dr Ejike Oji, the Country Director of Ipas, an international NGO.

Oji, who spoke, commended the union for building the
capacity of their members on women reproductive health.

He assured the women of his commitment to the completion of
the Ovim Skills Acquistion Centre.