June 19, (THEWILL) – Poor maternal health and high infant mortality rate are twin issues that have long plagued women in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. Well-meaning efforts are being geared towards significantly reducing the infant mortality rate, with the United Nations setting targets for countries to achieve set goals under its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, with a view to resolving the issue.
Committing nations to meet SDG 3, the UN has set a goal on Good Health and Well-being, targeting to reduce maternal mortality. In fact, the target is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
As well, it has projected that by 2030, countries should have ended preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years old, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as twelve per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality to at least as low as twenty-five per 1,000 live births.
In solidarity with the global efforts, Access Bank has carved a niche not just as a leading financial institution but also as a vanguard of social responsibility. This commitment reflects not just corporate social responsibility but a deep-seated belief in fostering sustainable communities, playing a pivotal role in improving maternal health through various initiatives and partnerships.
Safe Birthing Initiatives
Access Bank has adopted a holistic approach to ensure the safety and health of mothers. Throwing its weight behind Project Agbebi and Uwar Seeking to achieve a reduction in maternal mortality rates in the Southern and Northern parts of the country respectively. The overarching objective was to adopt healthy birthing practices, train traditional birth attendants, and provide birth kits.
Implemented in partnership with HACEY Health Initiative and Mo Baby Care across various states in southern Nigeria, namely Ebonyi, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Akwa-Ibom, Kwara, Abuja, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina & Anambra, this initiative has led to increased knowledge and awareness for over 5,000,000 people through media campaigns and has facilitated the distribution of 69,735 birthing kits to pregnant women and health attendants.
Furthermore, 2,090 traditional birth attendants have been trained on safe birthing practices; 120 maternal health support groups have been established; 21,848 IEC materials provided to facilitate learning; while 2,514,600 members of the various communities were directly trained on maternal health practices and financial literacy.
The ‘W’ Initiative
In July 2014, Access Bank launched the ‘W’ Initiative to empower female entrepreneurs in Nigeria through financial inclusion and liberation. This comprehensive programme encompasses all of Access Bank’s women empowerment offerings, including capacity building, mentoring, and maternal health services. The Initiative’s goal is to create a stronger, more sustainable society by equipping women with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
The ‘W’ Initiative provides participating women and their families with access to loans, credit facilities, and the “W” community, where they can gain insights on managing finances and increasing productivity. Additionally, the community offers valuable information on special offers for home, health, beauty, and fitness.
Furthermore, through the W Health Loan, the Initiative offers a tailored health insurance plan that covers a range of medical services, including maternal health. This plan ensures that women can afford quality care during pregnancy and childbirth. The Loan, which serves as the new umbrella product for all health loans available under the W Initiative, comes in 3 variants. One of these is the Maternal Health Service Support (MHSS) – a flagship product designed to provide discounted financing for fertility procedures, natal support and specialised procedures peculiar to women.
Through its financial products and healthcare partnerships, Access Bank has contributed to a noticeable reduction in maternal mortality rates in communities where these programmes are implemented. The affordable loans and health insurance plans have enabled more women to access timely and quality care.
The MHSS, which is present in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Mozambique and Zambia, is positioned to help women and families overcome barriers to good health and wellbeing. It is a social impact product and a key component of the ‘W’ Initiative. Often referred to as the baby-making product, it is a premier product in Africa which has impacted over 156 women & families with access to finance on various health procedures worth N241.5Mn and has birthed 103 babies through the discounted health financing scheme. Two additional health loan variants have been added to cover medical emergencies and cancer treatments.
Employee Volunteering
Beyond products, Access Bank’s employees have also gone the extra mile to bridge the maternal mortality gap. This commitment is exemplified by the Bank’s Corporate Counsel Group. Earlier in the month, the group commissioned its renovated maternal ward at the Dr. Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu Primary Health Centre (Anikantamo PHC). The project, undertaken as part of Access Bank’s Employee Volunteering Scheme – a subset of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts – is part of a 5-year initiative aimed at reducing the maternal mortality rate in Nigeria.
Themed ‘Ending Maternal Mortality’, the initiative, which began in 2021, has concentrated on renovating derelict maternity wards of Public Health Centres, providing birthing kits and educative maternal health information for indigent women. The Corporate Counsel group has also donated hospital equipment that promotes reproductive health and supports the effective delivery of maternal health in the communities.
The Group also organised comprehensive training seminars for expectant mothers, providing essential information on proper nutrition, healthcare practices, and effective postnatal care techniques. This education is pivotal in improving maternal and infant health outcomes, equipping mothers with the knowledge needed for healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and effective postpartum care.
The Bank’s efforts in upgrading healthcare facilities and conducting community outreach programmes have led to improved healthcare access in rural and underserved areas, ensuring that more women receive essential maternal health services.
“The renovations have provided us with a lasting and dependable energy supply for our maternity and child welfare ward. This has significantly enhanced our efficiency and output. Medical services can now be rendered and received by patients without interruption and with a greater degree of comfort. Also, the training seminars on prenatal and postpartum care have equipped expecting mothers with crucial knowledge to ensure a healthy pregnancy, labour, and delivery for mothers and their babies,” a representative of the hospital shared.
Access Bank’s comprehensive approach to improving maternal health through financial services, health partnerships, and community initiatives highlights the critical role of financial institutions in addressing public health challenges. The Bank’s efforts have not only improved maternal health outcomes but also empowered women, fostering a healthier and more financially stable society.
*** Written by Ngozi Eze is a health management practitioner.
