Some Lagos residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the non-implementation of the state government’s promised free antenatal and child delivery services at various General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos, residents highlighted their disappointment.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had, during a media chat on February 22, announced comprehensive measures to alleviate the current economic challenges faced by the citizens.
As part of these interventions, he reintroduced a free child delivery program for expectant mothers in all state-owned General Hospitals and special maternity centers.
The initiative aimed to cover the costs of child delivery, including caesarean sections, and reduce the expenses of certain medications like hypertension drugs.
However, residents reported that the promised free antenatal and child delivery services were not being effectively implemented, as hospitals continued to charge for various services. A case in point was Mrs. Funmilayo Olatunji, a trader who delivered at Ikorodu Health Centre, Ita-Elewa, stating that the delivery services were not provided free of charge at the center.
“I had normal delivery at the centre in February 2024. We paid N8,000 for child delivery fees, N10,500 for vaginal tear, and a carton of Maltina.
“I’m surprised to hear that the child delivery service was meant to be free at government facilities because the reverse was my experience,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Michael Adebiyi, whose wife delivered at Ikorodu General Hospital, Ebute, said he spent over N250,000 for caesarean section delivery and consumables at the hospital.
“My wife gave birth in February, and we paid for everything needed for the delivery from blood to caesarean section charges.
“Nothing was free; in fact, I’m still owing some people because I had to run around to source for the money.
“I was happy when I heard last year that expectant mothers would enjoy free child delivery services at government health facilities as part of relief measures to ease economic burden on families.
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“The government should put mechanism in place to ensure that policies made truly impact on the lives of citizens,” he said.
Also, Mrs Stella Nwosu, a hairstylist, said that she switched to a trado-medical centre for antenatal and child delivery due to the high service charges.
“Sometimes in September, I went to Amuwo-Odofin General Hospital to register for antenatal service and was told to pay ₦30,000.
“We couldn’t afford it because every child care item is expensive and to feed is even a challenge. My mother-in-law took me to a traditional birth attendant, and I delivered my baby there,” she said.
A healthcare worker, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that many pregnant women pay out-of-pocket for antenatal and delivery services at many government-owned facilities.
She opined that the programme required improved planning, compliance monitoring, and management for sustainability.
The healthcare worker noted that the economic situation of the country, which led to increased cost of products, especially medicines and healthcare services, would worsen the plight of couples with unplanned pregnancy.
She advised couples to take smart decisions, stressing that child care was a lifelong socio-economic experience that extends beyond access to free antenatal and child delivery services.
NAN reports that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also in 2023, during the state’s Security Council meeting on July 31, 2023, had directed General Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres to offer free antenatal care and child delivery services.
This is part of relief measures to ease the burden of the fuel subsidy removal.
The medical intervention will cover the cost of antenatal care, including the cost of registration and ANC clinics, as well as normal and cesarean section child delivery services.
It also seeks to increase access to quality maternal and child health services in line with the state government’s Universal Health Coverage attainment drive.
NAN
