By LOVETH-AZODO CHIJIOKE, Lagos
In a concerted effort to curb maternal mortality and improve healthcare outcomes at the grassroots, leading underwriter AIICO Insurance, in partnership with HACEY Health Initiative, has concluded a two-day maternal health outreach reaching 1,000 participants at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The outreach, conducted during the hospital’s routine antenatal and immunisation clinics, provided essential health education, diagnostic screenings, and maternal care kits to pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants.
Designed to bolster preventive healthcare, the intervention integrated routine blood pressure checks, blood glucose testing, and malaria screenings with targeted medical referrals. Participants diagnosed with elevated blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar levels, or positive malaria results were immediately linked with an on-site medical doctor for clinical evaluation and follow-up care.
Alongside clinical screenings, the initiative featured intensive health education sessions focused on birth preparedness, early detection of pregnancy danger signs, malaria prevention, and the necessity of timely medical intervention.
To promote hygienic delivery and safe postnatal practices, AIICO and HACEY distributed 650 maternal care kits. The packages contained essential clinical and sanitary supplies, including chlorhexidine gel, sterile gloves, surgical blades, cord ties, gauze, sanitary pads, antiseptic solutions, diapers, wipes, and mackintosh sheets, with healthcare workers on hand to demonstrate their proper usage.
Speaking on the rationale behind the outreach, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Manager at AIICO Insurance Plc, Mrs. Abimbola Shobanjo, emphasised that the company’s corporate social responsibility model is anchored on delivering tangible value to vulnerable demographics.
“Our approach to corporate responsibility is centred on initiatives that address real needs and make a practical difference in people’s lives. Maternal health is particularly important because the wellbeing of mothers has implications for their babies, families and communities,” Shobanjo said.
She noted that the initiative went beyond the distribution of supplies to equipping mothers with actionable knowledge.
“We believe that impact goes beyond providing resources. It also involves helping people recognise potential health risks, understand when to seek medical attention and make more informed decisions about their wellbeing. Working with HACEY and the healthcare professionals at General Hospital, Ikorodu, enabled us to deliver these interventions within an existing healthcare setting and reach women at a point when the support could be useful,” she added.
Beneficiaries at the outreach commended the intervention for bridging vital gaps in primary healthcare delivery. Balogun Olajumoke, a trader attending the clinic, noted that the educational sessions reinforced the need for comprehensive self-care throughout gestation. Similarly, Idiat Adebola, a caterer, underscored the value of the diagnostic tests, observing that conditions like malaria often progress without pronounced early symptoms.
Attending medical personnel also utilised the platform to reiterate the importance of routine antenatal attendance and vigilance regarding symptoms requiring emergency care.
According to AIICO Insurance, the collaboration with HACEY underscores its ongoing commitment to public health, community wellbeing, and high-impact social investments that support existing public health infrastructure across the country.
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