Abia First Lady Backs World Breastfeeding Week, Strengthens Maternal, Child Health Campaign

Vulnerable mothers and children in Abia State are set to benefit from renewed efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare following an advocacy visit by the Society for Family Health (SFH) and its partners to the First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, ahead of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.

The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonaiya Uche, and the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu U. Kalu, with support from the World Health Organization and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, sought the First Lady’s support in promoting exclusive breastfeeding across the state.

Mrs. Otti reaffirmed her commitment to maternal and child health, having consistently championed exclusive breastfeeding, routine immunisation, and healthcare support for vulnerable groups, including pregnant girls, young mothers, and senior citizens.

The Society for Family Health commended the Abia State Government for its long standing partnership and disclosed that, with donor support, it is implementing health interventions worth over ₦300 million in the state in 2026. The programmes are aimed at reducing maternal mortality, expanding family planning services in more than 300 health facilities, and strengthening efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, malaria, adolescent health, and other public health challenges.

The advocacy visit formed part of activities marking World Breastfeeding Week, observed globally from August 1 to 7 under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” The campaign promotes exclusive breastfeeding and stronger support systems to improve child survival and maternal health.