ACHIEVING EQUITY IN ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE: LESSONS FROM COVID-19 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES

Abstract

Nigeria currently has very poor maternal health outcomes arising from inequitable provision of maternal health services. About 1 in 25 women are at a lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy related complications in Nigeria. Deaths occurred mostly from preventable causes which could be averted if women have access to maternal healthcare services (AMHC). Maternal Healthcare needs are peculiar to women and thus, this paper asserts that maternal health care issues need be addressed from a gendered and equity view point. This study adopts a doctrinal method relying on primary and secondary sources to justify AMHC. The study relies on the principles of equity of access in provision of health care services to highlight the need for enhanced AMHC. The study finds that AMHC has been fragmented and has not contributed significantly to reducing deaths arising from maternal causes in Nigeria. The study also finds that the concerted efforts made by corporate organizations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic yielded positive results and contributed significantly to reducing the negative impacts of the pandemic. The study evaluates the response of the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to ensure access to needed health care by COVID patients. The study concludes that the major lesson from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) Initiatives during COVID was the unified front put forward by corporate organizations to achieve a common goal of reducing the effects of the pandemic. The same approach has the potentials to save women from preventable deaths arising from maternal causes. The study recommends improved AMHC in Nigeria through concerted and unified CSR measures.