Vita Foam Awards First Three Babies of the Year

Rebecca Ejifoma
The Group Managing Director of Vita Foam, Mr. Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi, has assured of its unwavering commitment in contributing to the healthy growth of babies and hospitals in Lagos State after it presented all-baby’s kits at the Lagos Island Maternity on Sunday, January 1 to the first three babies of the year.

Stating that this has been the tradition of Vita Foam for decades, he noted that over the years, they have been known for good quality products. “And good quality products can only be used by those who appreciate quality. We pride ourselves in the fact that the company’s existence is highly dependent on the society. If we make products and nobody buys then it’s of no use.”

He explained that the company has recognised the need to give back to the society as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) annually. “All the products given out today – from the wooden cot, mattress, pillow, duvet, baby covers to the baby feeder are made in Vita Foam.”

More so, Vita Foam donated 10 hospital mattresses to the maternity. “It’s not just for the women to come and have their babies. But we want to be sure that the facility is in good state, too. That is why we adopted a ward, Vita Foam ward, and renovated it for both mothers and their babies’ delight.”

Now, the three babies, all male, had first two births at 12:01am while the third was recorded at 12:03am, weighing between 3kg and 3.1kg respectively. The forth birth at same hospital was a triplet.

Mainly referred to as the “baby factory”, Adeniyi said that was what informed their choice. “Lagos Island Maternity is known as the baby factory as far as Lagos is concerned. Imagine, we were just told that the fourth birth is a triplet. You can imagine the number of births that have occurred just after that. Which kind of hospital has such a volume at such a space?

“If babies are not being born, there can’t be continuity in the country. We want to be part of that continuity. We have been around for over 50 years and we want to continue to be. It’s a way to bond with the babies. Obviously, their parents will tell them this,” he noted.

Therefore, in advising the government to do its beat, he said, “If only we can do a little more in the area of improving our health facility, what goes out of this country in terms of repatriation, money -. So, if the health sector can be improved – not necessarily all, just certain ones people can go and be confident they will find value – then it will be good for all.”

Meanwhile, according to the Medical Director, Lagos Island Maternity, Dr. Imosemi O. Donald, Vita Foam has been its traditional partner. “Over the years, they have identified with us in various ways; top of it is the first baby of the year celebration.”

For this, he firmly commended Vita Foam for its many contributions to the hospital. “For Vita Foam, the belief is that a baby that is born healthy and starts off healthy grows into a citizen that the country will be proud of.

“Now, apart from their CSR, their major line of products has more to do with new babies. So by coming to identify with such babies and mothers, I think they are playing their own role in ensuring that our mothers continue to appreciate the need to nurture babies to healthy ones and healthy Nigerians.”

Continuing, Imosemi acknowledged that the maternity has benefited from the partnership. “Our partnership with Vita Foam has been beneficial. And we are grateful.”

Thanking Vita Foam for its amazing gifts, Mrs. Aderonke Akande alongside her husband Mr. Olumide Akande, whose baby was born at 12:01am according to the hospital records, expressed profound gratitude to the organisations for such a happy New Year package. “I didn’t expect this. May God bless Vita Foam, the doctors and the nurses, who treated me so well.”

Other mothers are: Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oluwadamilare and Mrs. Salaudeen Saidat

1% Basic Health Fund Can’t Cover Women, Children Research, Say Experts

Kuni Tyessi, Abuja
New research has concluded the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at its current level of financing will not assure universal health coverage for pregnant women and children.
The Fund, built into the National Health Act, stipulates at least 1 per cent of consolidated revenue be set aside to pay for a package of basic health.

But researchers at the Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) based in University of Nigeria examined the Fund’s feasibility using six scenarios providing basic minimum of care in test states of Imo, Kaduna and Niger, and concluded the Fund would need to be increased at least fourfold to make a difference.

“What we discovered is that in reality, the money is actually too small,” said Dr Felix Obi, a researcher with HPRG. “If we focus only on 1 per cent, we might not be able to achieve universal health coverage.”

He said the finding underscores need to seek more funding sources. “Even though we are going through recession, government would have to look for alternative ways. Reducing funding to healthcare will not be to our benefit,” said Obi.

“Various funding scenarios show the inadequacy of available funds to meet the needs of the target beneficiaries,” the researchers, led by Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, reported, adding, “The funds are not enough to cover all potential pregnant women in each state, assuming that the basic minimum benefit package covers only pregnant women, even using 100 per cent of the Fund. The only feasible option is funding of only child services utilising at least 70 per cent of the Fund.”