The Rotary Club of Umuahia Golden has donated vital medical equipment to the Bende Primary Health Care Centre in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State as part of efforts to enhance maternal and child healthcare services.

Speaking during the presentation, the President of the club, Rotarian Deborah Uche, said the donation demonstrates Rotary's continued commitment to safeguarding the lives of mothers and children through impactful humanitarian interventions.

She explained that the project was carried out after a thorough assessment of the facility's most urgent medical needs.

The donated items included oxygen cylinders, an angle poise lamp, an electronic suction machine, a radiant warmer, and delivery forceps. According to her, the equipment is expected to strengthen emergency obstetric care and improve the chances of survival for both mothers and newborn babies.

Highlighting the importance of the intervention, Uche noted that Nigeria continues to face one of the highest rates of maternal and neonatal mortality in the world.

She said, "Nigeria's persistently high rate of maternal and newborn deaths continues to demand urgent action from governments, development partners, and humanitarian organisations.

"Nigeria accounts for one of the world's highest burdens of maternal and neonatal mortality, with experts estimating that a Nigerian woman faces a lifetime risk of one in 19 of dying from pregnancy-related causes, while hundreds of newborns die every day from preventable complications.

"Health advocates say expanding access to functional medical equipment at primary healthcare facilities remains one of the most effective ways of reversing the trend."

She also urged the management of the health centre to ensure that all the donated equipment is properly documented, maintained, secured, and used exclusively to improve patient care.

The Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Mr. Bassey Uwabunkeonye, represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Okoroafor Oluchi, commended Rotary International for its consistent investment in projects that positively impact communities.

He described the donation as another reflection of Rotary's longstanding tradition of selfless service and commitment to community development.

Also speaking, the Health Authority Secretary for Bende Local Government Area, Mrs. Ihedigbo Glory, expressed appreciation for the intervention, noting that the equipment would provide much-needed support for healthcare workers and contribute to safer childbirth for expectant mothers receiving care at the facility.

As part of the programme, Rotarian Ezinne delivered a health education session on healthy pregnancy practices and maternal wellbeing, encouraging women to attend regular antenatal clinics and adopt preventive health measures that can help reduce pregnancy-related complications.