Health
Excitement as foundation offers free deliveries, N50,000 cash gifts to Imo women
Many women in the Umuchima community, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, have benefited from free delivery services and N50,000 cash gifts each from the Uzotex Charity Foundation.
The foundation, which built a modern Primary Healthcare Centre in the community, said the initiative aims to reduce rising cases of maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria.
Some beneficiaries, who could not hide their joy, told PUNCH Healthwise that the intervention had brought great relief to them and their families, easing the burden of high delivery costs amid the rising cost of living.
A 32-year-old mother of four, Mrs Chielozala Njoku, expressed excitement after delivering her baby free of charge at the PHC and receiving N50,000 from the foundation.
“I registered at a private hospital in the state, but when I heard that antenatal care and delivery were free at the health centre in Umuchima, I quickly came to register here. I didn’t pay a kobo for registration, antenatal care, or delivery. To my surprise, the foundation requested my account details and credited me with N50,000 after I was discharged. I’m overwhelmed with joy that after offering free services, they still supported us financially,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Amarachi Okwuoshimiri, described the initiative as remarkable, highlighting the quality of care she received.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told during registration that delivery was free. The facility has trained health workers, and I received quality care from antenatal to delivery. In addition to the free delivery, the foundation gave me N50,000 after discharge. Every woman who delivered at the centre received the same support. This will go a long way in helping us cope with the current economic hardship,” she said.
A new mother, who preferred anonymity, described the intervention as timely. “This support has come at a critical time when hardship is too much in the country. It is a huge relief for poor women like us,” she added.
A mother of three, Mrs Kasarachi Ibeh, and other beneficiaries commended the foundation for prioritising maternal and child health and easing the burden of rising delivery costs.
The trader said, “The free delivery initiative is commendable. Mr Festus Mbisiogu, the founder of Uzotex Charity Foundation, has always been committed to supporting people. He genuinely believes in giving back.”
Beyond building and funding the PHC, the foundation has constructed doctors’ quarters, installed over 300 solar-powered streetlights, and provided a 300kVA transformer to power both the health centre and the surrounding community.
The foundation focuses on improving access to affordable healthcare, particularly for women and children, in a bid to reduce Nigeria’s high maternal and child mortality rates.
According to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, Nigeria accounts for about 14 per cent of global maternal deaths and nine per cent of under-five deaths.
Health experts note that Nigeria still records one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births—far above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Founded over a decade ago by businessman and philanthropist Festus Mbisiogu, the Uzotex Charity Foundation continues to expand its footprint in grassroots healthcare delivery. Mbisiogu also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and principal financier of the initiative.
Mbisiogu, who is President of Blue Diamond Logistics and Chief Executive Officer of Shanghai Engineering Works Limited, ranks among Nigerians striving to make healthcare accessible at the grassroots, particularly for women and children, through philanthropy.
Speaking on the initiative, Mbisiogu told PUNCH Healthwise that he remains committed to combating maternal deaths and promoting safe childbirth, noting that he pays the salaries of health workers, including doctors at the PHC.
“I built the PHC in the Umuchima community to save women from dying during childbirth. I have doctors and other health workers on my payroll. The free delivery initiative is designed to ensure that no woman dies during childbirth due to lack of access to healthcare or inability to afford care,” he said.
He added, “Beyond providing free delivery services, we give every woman who delivers at the health centre N50,000 to support them and encourage hospital-based deliveries, thereby reducing maternal deaths. Pregnant women from other local government areas are already coming to the centre because of this gesture.
“For me, helping mothers and babies survive and thrive is one of the greatest investments we can make in Nigeria’s future.”
Additionally, the philanthropist stated that the health centre provides free eye care services and medications to residents.
“The foundation has provided free eye care services and placed the eye doctor on a monthly salary. No patient is required to pay consultation fees. We have also provided medications free of charge. All services at the health centre are free,” Mbisiogu said.
Noting that the PHC is the only medical facility serving Umuchima and neighbouring communities, Mbisiogu appealed to the Imo State Government to deploy permanent doctors, nurses, and other health workers to the centre.
He stressed that his philanthropic activities remain a personal commitment to compassion and service to humanity.
“Government cannot do it alone. There must be individual participation through charitable and philanthropic partnerships,” he said.
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