In a powerful show of community support, the Lagos State Government and the Simisola Alabi Foundation have partnered to bring vital healthcare services to mothers and children in Obalende, Lagos Island.
EpeInsights gathered that the outreach program, held under the theme “Healthy Mothers; Thriving Children,” offered free medical services, health insurance enrollment, food packs, menstrual hygiene kits, and critical health education to hundreds of residents.
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, praised the initiative and highlighted the importance of choosing hospitals over untrained birth attendants. “Maternal deaths are preventable,” she said.
“Through health insurance, we are breaking the financial barriers that prevent women from accessing quality care.”
Dr. Ogunyemi also used the opportunity to educate attendees on pressing public health issues, including the dangers of diphtheria, while urging men to be more involved in family health decisions.
The founder of the Simisola Alabi Foundation, Dr. Simisola Alabi, shared her heartfelt motivation for organizing the outreach. She spoke about the ripple effect of empowering mothers: “Helping one mother today can uplift an entire generation tomorrow,” she said.
Dr. Alabi emphasized that the program was carefully designed to address stunting, a major but often overlooked health crisis affecting children’s growth and brain development.
The outreach wasn’t just about treating illnesses — it focused on prevention and long-term wellbeing. The food packs distributed included carefully selected, highly nutritious items like crayfish, beans powder, and palm oil to boost the health of families.
General Manager of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the outreach as “a model for sustainable health development,” pointing to the successful integration of health checks, immunizations, malaria treatments, and insurance registration all in one event.
Executive Director of the Simisola Alabi Foundation, Pharm. Bebenimibo Perezi, highlighted the Foundation’s ambitious goal to reach over 1,000 mothers and children in its first quarter under the “Healthy Mothers; Thriving Children” initiative.
He thanked partners like Codix Nigeria, May & Baker, Pearls Specialist Clinic, Amayi Foods, Page Financials, and Lawyer Funmi Roberts for their support.
Other health leaders, including Dr. Olukemi Kwenin, a trustee of the Foundation, and Dr. Akintayo Akintoba, Medical Officer of Health for Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, also praised the partnership, calling for more initiatives like this to strengthen healthcare at the grassroots.
Sponsors like Amayi Foods reinforced their commitment to family nutrition. “At Amayi Foods, we believe in supporting the health of mothers and children with quality products,” said founder Kudzai Hove.
For many beneficiaries, the event was a beacon of hope. Mrs. Mariam Akpan, a mother of two, shared her excitement after receiving a food pack and free health insurance enrollment. “Today, I feel seen and cared for, God bless them for what they have done.”
