Apucarana mayor delivers maternity kits to 60 expectant mothers

On 19 June, the municipal government of Apucarana, Brazil, handed out new maternity kits to 60 pregnant women who have completed at least 32 weeks of gestation and are receiving prenatal care through public health units and the Casa da Gestante. The distribution, carried out by Mayor Rodolfo Mota, marked the first delivery of the revised kit under his administration.

The kits, assembled by the Secretariat of Municipal Social Assistance in partnership with the Municipal Health Autarchy and the Secretariat of Women and Family Affairs, include a sturdy maternity bag, a swaddle, a blanket, a onesie, a winter body, a hooded towel and liquid soap. Officials highlighted that the updated contents aim to improve quality of care for newborns and support the city’s effort to lower historically high infant‑mortality rates. Health secretary Dr Guilherme de Paula also stressed the availability of RSV and influenza vaccines for pregnant women, noting their role in protecting both mothers and infants.

Mayor Mota and First‑Lady Karine Mota emphasized that the program reflects a broader municipal plan to provide comprehensive support to mothers, promote vaccination, and reduce maternal and child mortality in Apucarana.