Etisalat’s Health Interventions Giving Succour To Nigerian Communities

The challenges of the Nigerian health sector are enormous and, sometimes, very complex. VICTOR OKEKE reviews the various interventions by telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria and advocates increased efforts and support from all stakeholders as panacea to the sectoral rot.

Malaria, infant mortality, maternal death, increasing cancer death rate – are a few common health issues in Nigeria today and the numbers are worrying. Experts estimate that 100 million malaria cases are reported in Nigeria annually, with over 300,000 deaths. Also, about 10 per cent of global maternal deaths are said to be in Nigeria. This means [that] 158 Nigerian women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related illnesses daily and about 2,300 children under age five also die from preventable and curable diseases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) further estimates that over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer yearly and about 80,000 die from the disease. This means about 240 Nigerians die of cancer every day. Nigeria’s cancer death rate, which sits at 80 per cent, is the highest in the world.

Experts opine that the state of the Nigerian health sector leaves much to be desired and they say it is due to a variation of factors, such as poor funding resulting in lack of equipment, manpower shortage in critical fields as a result of brain drain and policy inconsistency. Hence, they have stressed the need for all stakeholders to rescue the sector from its comatose state.

Without a doubt, government at all levels has continued to do its best by providing basic healthcare for the people within available resources. Also, some international humanitarian and corporate organisations are also providing support for the sector.

Etisalat Nigeria makes health care one of its core corporate social responsibility platforms; education and environment being the other two. Through its health portfolio since it came to Nigeria in 2008, the firm has impacted several communities across the country with its numerous health initiatives.

The Director, Regulatory and Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the company’s interest in the health sector as one of its three core CSR areas stemmed from the sector’s importance to sustainable development. “The achievement of the key objectives of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria (SDGs) is of immense importance to us at Etisalat Nigeria. To achieve this, we know that we must empower members of the society by promoting healthy environment that fosters better living for them. At Etisalat we are passionate about creating platforms that enable and support development and a self-sustaining society,” he said.

In the last one year, for example, the telco has implemented health CSR initiatives to combat malaria, infant mortality and maternal death, cancer and other diseases. To combat malaria, Etisalat has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, aimed at driving the delivery of its goal to control the spread of malaria in Nigeria. As such, in 2016, it donated over 2,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to some communities; bringing the total number of nets distributed in affected communities across Nigeria to over 20,000.

It also launched the Etisalat Fight Malaria Clubs in Cross River and Lagos States – two states with a significantly higher burden of malaria. The malaria clubs are in primary, secondary and tertiary

educational institutions and are designed to equip youth with information and tips on preventing the malaria scourge. Towards the success of this initiative, Etisalat has donated computer systems and funds.

Also, Etisalat has also partnered with government and non-governmental agencies in the fight against malaria. It formed an alliance with Malaria No More, the National Malaria Elimination Programme and the Federal Ministry of Health, to disseminate information on the prevention and control of the spread of malaria, using social media, SMS to its subscribers and other engaging channels.

In order to reduce the alarming rate of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria, Etisalat has committed to distributing maternal birth kits across Nigeria. Between 2015 and 2016, the company donated about 1000 maternal birth kits to indigent women and health care workers in

different communities across the country. It has also provided high-end configured tablets for field data collection by trained health workers, in ascertaining the root causes of infant and maternal

mortality, as well as ultimately securing lasting solutions.

Through its M-Health platform, the organisation distributed phone lines and data to healthcare providers, to enable them correctly examine and diagnose conditions that cause maternal and infant

mortality. It has partnered with Instrat Global Health Solutions for a smooth registration and data collection process. Powered by Etisalat Easyblaze internet service, the mobile partner wireless Solution Clinipak captures patient data and delivers real-time reporting, helping healthcare workers increase productivity and modernise the clinical experience, thereby creating huge positive impact on health management.

Also, Etisalat has been a front-runner in the fight against cancer.

In 2016, it entered a partnership with a group of professional women, Frendz Unite Association, dedicated to uplifting and supporting the cause of women and the vulnerable in the society, in driving breast cancer awareness. The partnership gave birth to Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which included a lecture to educate and provide information to the attendees on prevention, early detection, treatment, as well as free, on-the-spot screening. This was in Kaduna.

Violence against women and young girls remains, indeed, a serious public health concern, with ripple effects felt across all levels of society.

Findings from a national survey carried out in 2014 on Violence Against Children in Nigeria confirmed that one in four females reported experiencing sexual violence in childhood, with approximately 70 per cent reporting more than one incident of sexual violence. In the same study, it was found that 24.8 per cent of females aged 18 to 24 years experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18.

Disturbed by the unpalatable statistics, in 2016, Etisalat Nigeria went into partnership with the Women at Risk International Foundation, a non-profit organisation that was incorporated in response to the growing incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring amongst young girls and women across Nigeria. The foundation was established to raise awareness and advocate against this increasing sexual violence experienced by women and young girls of all ages; harping on the consequences of this problem, both immediate, with health and psycho-social risks to the victims, as well as the long-term societal problems that subsequently occur, such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

Etisalat Nigeria provided WARIF with communication facilities such as SIM cards, with readily recallable numbers, a device and airtime to enable the WARIF team reach out to women and children in critical need of follow-up. Through this partnership, Etisalat contributed to the

global effort targeted at raising awareness and advocacy and providing succour to victims of sexual violence, with a view to stemming the tide.

Only recently, the firm donated computers to the Gbagada General Hospital, in furtherance of its commitment to improved healthcare in the country. Experts and concerned stakeholders are of the opinion that constant unabridged support like these from the private sector, as exemplified by Etisalat Nigeria, would go a long way in overcoming basic challenges in the health sector.