By David Akinmola
As concerns over the burden of preventable diseases continue to drive calls for greater access to early diagnosis, AXA Mansard Health has taken its hepatitis awareness campaign to Bariga, Lagos, offering residents free screening, health education and support services.
The initiative, organised to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, forms part of the health management organisation’s broader focus on preventive healthcare and early detection, particularly among communities where access to routine health screening remains limited.
Through the outreach, residents were provided with free hepatitis screening and information on prevention, diagnosis and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.
The initiative also included the distribution of relief packages to vulnerable families within the community, extending the programme beyond medical screening to immediate social support.
AXA Mansard Health said taking healthcare education and screening directly to communities was aimed at addressing gaps in awareness and access to preventive services.
The development highlights the growing importance of preventive healthcare in Nigeria, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to routine screening can increase the health and financial burden associated with treatable diseases.
For health insurers and HMOs, increased emphasis on prevention could also help reduce the long-term cost of healthcare by encouraging early detection and treatment before illnesses become more severe.
The Bariga outreach therefore reflects a shift towards healthcare interventions that place greater emphasis on awareness, screening and early action rather than treatment after disease has progressed.
AXA Mansard Health said it would continue to support initiatives that empower Nigerians with the knowledge and resources required to make informed decisions about their health.
The organisation stressed that sustained public education and access to screening remain critical to preventing hepatitis from progressing into life-threatening conditions.
The initiative also reinforces the role of private-sector healthcare providers in complementing government and public-health efforts to improve access to preventive services, particularly at the community level.
As Nigeria continues to confront healthcare access and affordability challenges, industry stakeholders say stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, insurers, government agencies and communities will be critical to building a more prevention-focused healthcare system.
For AXA Mansard Health, the hepatitis campaign represents part of that broader effort to move healthcare closer to Nigerians while encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for early detection and preventive care.
