National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have organised a maternal health outreach in Surulere, Lagos State, screening 108 residents as part of a community intervention aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services and promoting safe motherhood.
Outreach at Idi-Araba Market
The outreach, held at Idi-Araba Market under the “Mama and Child Market Outreach” programme, brought together pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and men who benefited from free medical screening, consultations and maternal healthcare sensitisation.
Organised under an NYSC Personal Community Development Service (CDS) project and led by Dr. Gift Jegede, the initiative was primarily designed to enhance maternal health awareness and improve access to vital health information among women in the market community. However, the organisers said the intervention was expanded to accommodate other residents who presented themselves for medical attention, including men who accessed consultations, check-ups and drugs during the exercise.
Why the Initiative Was Necessary
Speaking during the outreach, Jegede said the initiative became necessary due to the growing need for maternal health education and preventive healthcare services, particularly among traders and low-income earners who often lack access to adequate antenatal information and medical support.
She explained that the programme focused on educating women on the importance of early antenatal registration, regular medical check-ups, proper nutrition and healthy pregnancy practices, noting that poor maternal health awareness remains a major contributor to preventable pregnancy-related complications.
Alignment with Global Goals
Jegede added that the outreach aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1, which seeks to reduce global maternal mortality and improve access to quality healthcare services for women and children. She further stressed the need for sustained community-based interventions to strengthen maternal and child health outcomes, noting that many women remain unaware of the risks associated with poor antenatal care and delayed medical attention during pregnancy.
Local Government Support
Representing the Surulere Local Government Inspector (LGI), Assistant LGI Sanyaolu Mojisola during the outreach, commended the organisers while noting that the programme was a timely and impactful intervention aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare awareness in the community. She also urged other NYSC corps members to initiate meaningful community development projects capable of addressing pressing societal needs and improving the welfare of residents in their host communities.
Beneficiaries Speak
A beneficiary, Morufat Adio, who is pregnant with her second child, said the free screening helped her better understand her health status and encouraged her to seek appropriate medical attention where necessary. Another beneficiary noted that the outreach came at a crucial time, adding that the medical team assisted her by refilling her prescription after she had run out of medication.
