By Ben TC Brooks
In compliance with the Ministry of Health (MoH) recently launched nationwide Safe Motherhood Week, which begins today Monday, 7 July, the River Gee County Health Team has commenced an array of related activities.
The activities aim to enhance maternal healthcare and ensure expectant mothers receive thorough support during their transition to motherhood.
Slated to run from 7 to 11 July 2025, the week-long activities will focus on several crucial areas that promote the health and welfare of mothers and their newborns.
Under the leadership of Dr. Pauline Weah-Mehdeh, health authorities in River Gee County are urging community members to take active measures, such as pregnant women regularly visiting medical clinics.
Stakeholders’ engagement, radio programs and community dialogue are expected to kick-off across River Gee County beginning today thru the climax of the Safe Motherhood Week.
The campaign seeks to eliminate barriers to healthcare access, encouraging pregnant women to attend essential prenatal check-ups necessary for monitoring their health and their unborn children.
Ahead of the initiatives, Dr. Weah-Mehdeh has highlighted the importance of being prepared for emergencies, urging families to arrange transportation in advance to ensure swift access to medical facilities in case of complications during delivery.
She emphasized that proactive measures are critical for saving lives and enhancing safety and maternal healthcare work.
During this period, the health team will carry out series of advocacies for exclusive breastfeeding as a vital part of infant care; with Dr. Weah-Mehdeh emphasizing that exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for newborns, indicating that it also greatly supports the health of newborns, as well as aid in their development.
The weeklong campaign seeks to celebrate mothers and acknowledge their invaluable contributions to society, according to Dr. Weah-Mehdeh, who added that, “Mothers are heroes in our communities, and it is essential to recognize their strength and resilience.”
The River Gee Health Officer noted that achieving safe motherhood depends on collaborative efforts, especially with the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that it is a shared responsibility among health authorities, families, and the community.
Through collective action, a supportive environment can be fostered that promotes safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for both mothers and their children, she maintained.