By Dorcas Samson Achi
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri in conjunction with Coca Cola Company and Medshare International, a Non-Governmental agency on 21st February, 2020, launched the Safe Birth Initiative (SBI) project with the slogan “let’s bring mum and baby home alive”.
The Medical Director, FMC Owerri, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu while delivering his welcome address expressed joy over the equipment and training given to the centre and its medical practitioners.
According to him, the Coca Cola, Medshare Safe Birth Initiative is a novel intervention targeted at reducing the number of maternal and child birth mortality arising from birth related complications to ensure that baby and mother come home alive.
Mr. Ebeny Armstrong, a consultant and officer of Medshare International Organization in his remark stressed that the quality of a man is not a head full of knowledge but a heart full of love, ear to listen and hand to help “Medshare Services is Humanitarian outfit that it has treated over twenty million patients all over the world” he said. Mr. Amstrong added that without Coca Cola Company, FMC will not know Medshare and FMC Owerri has received the highest Medical Equipment in Nigeria.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health in Abia State, Dr. Joe Osuji said that the Initiative is a well-received venture. He appreciated Dr. Achigbu for attracting laudable ventures to FMC Owerri. Prof. Abimbola Uzoma representing the President of the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in her remark emphasized on giving pregnant women quality education and orientation on the importance of food and nutrition during pregnancy.
At the end of the event, awards were given to FMC Practitioners who participated in the trainings given by Medshare Agency. Some Patients received gifts to aid their recovery at the programme.
Dignitaries at the occasion include; FMC board chairman,Senator Ishaq Adebayo Salman, HRM Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze, Eze Prof. Amaobi Uwaleke, Mrs. Amaka Onyemenukwe, Mr. Barnabas Ekeh, medical team and workers of FMC among others.
