The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched the Renewed Hope Free Distribution of Mother-Baby Kits, a programme designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes across the six area councils of the FCT.
At the official flag-off held on Thursday at Asokoro General Hospital, the Minister of State for the FCT said the initiative, alongside the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project, reflects a holistic vision of health under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
A total of 250 baby kits containing essential items for safe and hygienic delivery were distributed, along with 500 cooking gas cylinders to promote clean energy use. Each kit provides vital supplies to safeguard both mother and child during labour and neonatal care.
‘No woman should face childbirth without the tools and support she needs, and no child should begin life without adequate care’, the minister stressed, describing the kits as a direct investment in maternal and child health.
The ‘Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project’ is aimed at replacing smoky fuels like firewood, charcoal, and kerosene with LPG cookers, reducing indoor air pollution and promoting healthier living conditions for families.
‘By tackling one of the silent but deadly health risks in our homes, we are protecting families, cutting deforestation, and advancing our clean energy transition’, she noted.
She said the twin programmes build on recent FCT health reforms, from new oxygen plants and fistula centres to expanded insurance coverage, calling them ‘flagship models of innovation, equity, and public–private collaboration’.
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the launch marked ‘a significant milestone in our collective journey towards improving maternal and child health in the Federal Capital Territory’.
She noted that the official launch of the Renewed Hope Free Distribution of Mother-Baby Kits was not just a ceremonial occasion, but ‘A clear demonstration of the FCT Administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of mothers and newborns across our communities’.
Explaining the rationale for the initiative, Fasawe said, ‘Every year, Nigeria continues to face unacceptably high rates of maternal and infant mortality. While we have made some progress, far too many women still lose their lives during childbirth, and too many newborns do not live to see their first birthday.
‘One major reason for these preventable deaths is the lack of access to clean, safe, and essential supplies during delivery. The Renewed Hope Mother-Baby Kit initiative is designed to bridge that gap.
‘By providing these kits free of charge, especially to the most vulnerable and underserved women in our rural and peri-urban communities, we are removing a significant barrier to safe motherhood’.
She explained that the programme was aligned with the Federal Government’s broader health reforms, saying, “This initiative is in line with the broader goals of the Federal Government’s health sector reforms, particularly under the Universal Health Coverage framework.
‘It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: ‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.’ Today, we are all gathered to renew hope in accordance with this goal, ‘One Baby at a Time’.
She, however, urged the expectant mothers to be conscious of the health of the pregnancy they are carrying, saying, ‘This initiative is for you. We want you to know that your health matters and the life of your baby matters, and the government is here to support you every step of the way.
‘Let me encourage all pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly, deliver in health facilities, and take full advantage of the services being provided’.
Fasawe, while appreciating partners, NGOs, health workers, community leaders, and frontline providers as the unsung heroes who bring the kits to life, urged both stakeholders and beneficiaries to remain steadfast in advancing better health outcomes for all.
‘As we officially launch the free distribution of Mother-Baby Kits today, let this serve as a renewed call to action. A call to strengthen our primary healthcare system, a call to prioritize maternal and child health, and a call to build a future where no woman dies while giving life. Together, we can make this vision a reality’, she said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, described the initiative as ‘a promise made and a promise fulfilled by the Administration of President Bola Tinubu, to restore and renew hope, deliver efficient healthcare, and protect the environment for future generations’.
He said the programme was symbolic of Nigeria’s Independence celebration, noting, ‘As we celebrate Nigeria’s Independence, this initiative is symbolic; we celebrate our future through these babies, while putting smiles on the faces of their parents with baby essentials, clean energy, and healthcare coverage.
‘Over 250 Baby Kits containing newborn essentials and 500 cooking gas cylinders have been distributed here today, and this is just the beginning.
‘No mother and no family will be left behind as we move round the six Area Councils under the Project Breathe Clean Air Abuja campaign and the One Baby at a Time initiative’.
Adam also used the opportunity to sensitize families on safe cooking gas use. ‘Always keep your cylinder in a well-ventilated area. Turn off the regulator when not in use. Never place cylinders near naked flames or direct sunlight. Check regularly for leaks and never use a matchstick to test. Keep children away from gas cylinders at all times.
‘With these safety measures, we can all enjoy the benefits of clean cooking while protecting our families and our environment’.
