The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on women to register early for antenatal care in designated health facilities for adequate medical attention so as to curtail maternal mortality.

The agency, through its sponsored project, Social Mobilisation and Technical Committee (SOMTEC), domiciled in Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, said it would step up intervention to ensure safe delivery.

According to SOMTEC Desk Officer, Mrs. Chineze George-Ileka, Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCMs) has been set up in communities to mobilise pregnant mothers to access antenatal care.

Mrs. Ileka, who spoke during an appraisal meeting with VCMs at Onitsha South Local Government Secretariat, enjoined volunteers to enlighten pregnant women on the need to access medical attention in health facilities.

He advised pregnant mothers to endeavour to attend antenatal care, at least four times before delivery, take routine drugs, check HIV status every six months and immunise their babies at health centres.

She also harped on the need for volunteers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties saying that they should always approach pregnant mothers in polite manner.

On his part, the Coordinator of Aids programme in Anambra State, Dr. Afam Anaeme, said more zeal was needed in safe delivery of pregnant mothers at Onitsha South health centres.

He announced that Onitsha North placed first with 75 per cent in the 2018 safe delivery appraisal at health centres, while Onitsha South and Awka South were placed second and third with 54.5 per cent and 46 per cent respectively.

One of the volunteers and a community woman leader in Housing Estate, Dingil Nnebue, said they have embarked in a house to house campaign to mobilise pregnant mothers to access healthcare facilities.

She said that Housing Estate community is made up of three wards which include, Bridge Head 1, 2 and 3.