SMCCH and Merciful Heart Foundation Expand Maternal and Child Health Program in Awomamma – October 2025

St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital (SMCCH), Umuowa, Orlu, in partnership with the Merciful Heart Foundation (MHF), has expanded its long-standing maternal and child health intervention with the recruitment of 150 pregnant women from the Awomamma area into a comprehensive, fully funded care program. This initiative, which was rolled out in October 2025, marks a significant scale-up of services under the SMCCH–MHF partnership, which has been in existence since 2022. In line with this year’s expansion, the number of beneficiaries under the program has been increased to its highest level to date, reflecting both partners’ shared commitment to improving access to quality healthcare. Under the program, all enrolled women will receive free antenatal care and delivery services, with all treatments provided at St. Mary’s Children and Community Hospital. Furthermore, children born through the program will continue to receive free medical care at SMCCH until the age of five years, ensuring sustained support during early childhood. The initiative is a targeted response to the persistent challenge of maternal mortality and under-five mortality in the region. As part of its implementation, the SMCCH medical team conducted a medical obstetric outreach to designated centres in Awomamma, where eligible pregnant women were medically assessed and formally recruited into the program. Speaking on the expansion, the President of the Merciful Heart Foundation, Dr. Nnakwe, noted that “our partnership with SMCCH, which began in 2022, continues to demonstrate that strategic collaboration can significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes at the community level.” The Medical Director of SMCCH, Dr. Obi Onukogu, emphasized that “this year’s expansion reflects our deliberate effort to increase capacity for mother and child care, including clinical staffing, infrastructure, and service delivery systems, so that a larger number of women and children can receive safe and high-quality care.” He further stated that SMCCH is fully positioned to deliver comprehensive obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric services, ensuring that all beneficiaries under the program receive the best possible care in a well-equipped and compassionate healthcare environment. Through this expanded October 2025 program, SMCCH and the Merciful Heart Foundation reaffirm their shared mission to strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, and improve long-term health outcomes across the Awomamma region and beyond.