LAGOS/Nigeria: More than 200 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, have received free delivery kits in a maternal health intervention aimed at easing the cost of childbirth and encouraging safer pregnancies.
The outreach, organised by the Rotary Club of Revolution Lagos, District 9112, comes at a time when many expectant mothers continue to grapple with the rising cost of healthcare and delivery materials.
Beneficiaries received maternity packs containing baby bathtubs, nursing bags, cord clamps, cotton wool, sanitary pads, surgical blades, methylated spirit, mucus extractors and other essential items required for childbirth.
President of the Rotary Club of Revolution Lagos, Dr. Bonaventure Igboanugo, said the initiative forms part of Rotary’s annual focus on maternal and child health, adding that the intervention was designed to provide practical support for expectant mothers while promoting safer delivery outcomes.
He noted that the club had undertaken a similar programme in Lagos last year and expressed hope that the outreach would continue to expand to reach more vulnerable women.
Chairman of the club’s Maternal and Child Health Committee, Jonathan Onyeulo, disclosed that this year’s programme was implemented through the combined efforts of 11 Rotary clubs within the district, enabling the organisers to extend assistance to a larger number of beneficiaries.
He said discussions were ongoing to broaden the initiative in subsequent editions so that more communities could benefit from the programme.
Delivering a health talk during the event, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at LASUTH, Dr. Modupe Adedeji, urged pregnant women to register early for antenatal care and maintain regular medical check-ups throughout pregnancy.
According to her, inadequate health information and delayed access to skilled medical care remain significant factors contributing to maternal and infant deaths.
She stressed that pregnancy and childbirth require continuous professional monitoring, noting that early antenatal care helps identify and manage complications before they become life-threatening.
Some of the beneficiaries described the intervention as timely, saying the delivery kits would help reduce some of the financial demands associated with preparing for childbirth.
The outreach formed part of activities marking Rotary’s Maternal and Child Health Month, during which clubs undertake community-based programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of mothers and children.
