The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, continued a long-standing New Year tradition on Friday by visiting hospitals across the state to celebrate babies born on New Year’s Day. The visits recognised newborns and their mothers with essential gifts and cash awards while drawing attention to the state’s free antenatal and delivery services.
Anambra First Lady New Year babies highlight free antenatal services
Dr Soludo, who also leads the Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo initiative, spent the morning meeting the first babies of 2026 and their families. She praised mothers who accessed antenatal care and delivery in public hospitals, noting that many had their deliveries, including Caesarean sections, at no cost thanks to the state government’s three-year-old scheme.
During the visits, the First Lady presented mothers and newborns with care hampers containing milk, groundnut oil, sanitary items and other essentials, alongside cash gifts intended to support maternal nutrition and the early nursing period. Staff and mothers described the gesture as timely support that eases the immediate costs and logistical pressures new parents face.
Speaking with new mothers, Dr Soludo listened to accounts from those who benefitted from free antenatal consultations and deliveries. She expressed gratitude and optimism for the children’s futures, asking for God’s blessing on their growth and development and encouraging families to take pride in the state’s efforts to make healthcare accessible.
The First Lady emphasised that the visits serve a dual purpose: to celebrate new life and to showcase improvements in the primary healthcare system. She urged expectant and nursing mothers to have confidence in government-owned health facilities and to make use of available services, saying these institutions are increasingly functional and responsive to community needs.
Health officials present at the hospitals reiterated that the free antenatal and delivery policy, now in its third year, aims to reduce maternal and neonatal complications by increasing access to skilled care. Local clinicians noted a rise in facility-based deliveries, which they linked to better outcomes for mothers and babies. The First Lady’s public recognition of the programme is likely to reinforce its profile and encourage wider uptake.
For many families, the visit was both a celebration and a reminder of recent progress. One mother who delivered by Caesarean section at a state hospital described how free services removed a significant financial burden and allowed her to focus on recovery and her newborn. Staff said such testimonies are a common result of the policy’s growing acceptance.
Dr Soludo closed the tour with prayers for the children and their families, expressing hope that they will grow in peace and become sources of pride for Anambra State. The annual visits remain a visible demonstration of the administration’s commitment to maternal and child health and underline the practical benefits of investment in primary healthcare.
Key Takeaways:
- Anambra First Lady marks New Year by visiting newborns and mothers across state hospitals.
- Programme highlights three-year free antenatal and delivery services in public hospitals.
- Newborns and mothers received hampers, milk, sanitary items and cash to support early nutrition and care.
- Visit aims to build confidence in government health facilities and celebrate maternal health progress.
