Strengthening Maternal & Infant Care in Rural Communities
On the 31st of July 2025, a remarkable collaborative effort unfolded in the heart of Rundele community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Primary Health Center in Rundele became a beacon of hope and progress as five Rotary Clubs under Rotary International District 9141 joined hands to execute a life-impacting healthcare project. The partnering clubs—Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Abuloma, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Phoenix, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt North, and Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA—delivered a robust and multifaceted intervention focused on improving maternal and child health in the rural community.
The core of the project centered around the training and equipping of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), who continue to play a vital role in rural healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The initiative also included the donation of essential delivery materials, the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women, the donation of a phototherapy machine to combat neonatal jaundice, and the formation of a Rotary Community Corps (RCC) in Rundele to ensure sustainability and grassroots involvement.
This project, which epitomizes the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” addressed pressing gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure and empowered the very individuals who serve on the frontlines of maternal health.
In many rural communities across Nigeria, Traditional Birth Attendants remain the first and often only point of call for pregnant women. Their role, though informal, is indispensable in areas where access to qualified medical personnel and modern healthcare facilities is limited.
Understanding this dynamic, the partnering Rotary clubs recognized the urgent need to enhance the knowledge, capacity, and safety of TBAs in Rundele. With technical support from certified midwives and public health experts, the training session at the Rundele Primary Health Center was comprehensive, participatory, and practical.
The curriculum included modules on:
Safe delivery practices
Identification and referral of high-risk pregnancies
Basic neonatal resuscitation
Hygiene and infection prevention
Postpartum care for mothers and babies
The attending TBAs expressed deep appreciation for the training, acknowledging that it provided them with life-saving knowledge and tools to better support expectant mothers in their care.
Beyond capacity building, the Rotary clubs demonstrated their commitment to healthcare improvement by donating vital medical supplies and equipment. Among the donated items were:
Clean delivery kits
Sterile gloves and scissors
Maternity pads
Antiseptic solutions
Umbilical cord clamps
Baby clothing and blankets
These items were distributed to TBAs and the Primary Health Center to improve hygiene standards during childbirth, ultimately reducing the risks of infections and maternal complications.
In a critical boost to maternal and neonatal care, a phototherapy machine was also donated to the health center. This equipment is essential in treating neonatal jaundice, a common condition among newborns that, if untreated, can lead to serious complications or death. The health center’s staff received orientation on the use of the device, further strengthening their capacity to handle emergencies.
In another impactful gesture, over 100 insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) were distributed to pregnant women in the community. Malaria in pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria. The distribution of ITNs will go a long way in reducing the incidence of malaria and improving pregnancy outcomes in Rundele.
One of the most sustainable aspects of the project was the formation and inauguration of a Rotary Community Corps (RCC) in Rundele. RCCs are self-governed groups of non-Rotarians who share Rotary’s commitment to service and community development.
By establishing an RCC, the Rotary clubs ensured that the project would not be a one-off event, but rather the beginning of a sustained relationship between Rotary and the Rundele community. The RCC members—comprising TBAs, youth leaders, community elders, and health volunteers—will serve as Rotary’s local partners in identifying challenges, driving future health campaigns, and maintaining donated equipment.
Speaking at the inauguration, the RCC Coordinator, Mr. Chinedu Ogbonna, expressed gratitude and enthusiasm. “We are honored to be part of this initiative. This RCC will make sure that the training and materials we received today benefit our people for years to come.”
The event also attracted local dignitaries, health officials, and representatives from the Emuoha Local Government, who commended Rotary International for its grassroots-driven development model.
As the sun set on the eventful day, the community of Rundele was abuzz with excitement and gratitude. For many of the TBAs and pregnant women, this was the first time they had received such concentrated attention, education, and support.
The project touched multiple layers of community health—education, prevention, and treatment—while empowering local actors to take charge of their own development. It also exemplified the power of collaboration across Rotary clubs, showing how united efforts can amplify impact.
President Iwo Edward-Pepple of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan, speaking on behalf of the five clubs, remarked, “This is what Rotary is about—touching lives, building partnerships, and leaving lasting footprints. We hope this is the beginning of deeper engagement with Rundele and other underserved communities.”
Moving forward, the clubs plan to monitor the outcomes of the intervention through periodic assessments in collaboration with the RCC and local health authorities. There are also discussions about hosting follow-up training sessions, maternal health outreaches, and education campaigns on malaria prevention and family planning.
Indeed, the 31st of July 2025 will be remembered not just as the day Rundele received support, but as the day it was empowered to begin charting its own course toward better maternal and child health.