Health
NGO urges free distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls
Elsie Ozika, Executive Director of Toilet Kulture Initiative (TKI),
has urged the three tiers of government to distribute free sanitary pads to schoolgirls to promote attendance and menstrual health and hygiene.
Ozika made the call at an event to create awareness and distribute sanitary products to schoolgirls of LEA Primary School, Shetuko, Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
The event was to commemorate the 2021 Menstrual Hygiene Day in Abuja, with the theme “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”
She said the day afforded the organisation the opportunity not only to raise awareness about issues of menstrual hygiene but demystify cultural issues and taboos around menstruation.
According to her, the choice of Shetuko community is borne out of the need to take the campaign to grassroots where awareness on menstrual hygiene is poor.
She said it was an effort to sustain similar campaign which TKI had previously embarked upon in Kuje.
Ozika expressed dissatisfaction that the increasing prices of sanitary products made it unaffordable for young girls, “especially with the economic difficulties around the country.”
She, therefore, urged government at all levels to make it a priority to provide sanitary products for girls, particularly in schools.
She added that “in commemorating the Menstrual Hygiene Day this year, we are faced with an outbreak of a global virus called COVID-19.
“According to experts, the poorest sections of the society have been worst affected in accessing menstrual hygiene products during the pandemic largely because of their shrinking purchasing power.
“Even in the best of times, you all will agree with me that gender inequality, discriminatory social norms, cultural taboos, poverty and lack of basic services often cause menstrual health and hygiene needs of women and girls to go unmet.
“In emergencies, these deprivations can be worse. These deprivations have negative impacts on restricting mobility, limiting freedom and choices.
“Reducing participation in school, work and community life, compromising safety and causing stress and anxiety to women and girls”.
The executive director quoted a UNICEF report, which showed that 26.7 per cent of menstruating women did not have access to the basic WASH facilities needed to properly manage themselves during menstruation.
She said the visit to the community was not just to commemorate the 2021 Menstrual Hygiene Day but a way of responding in collaboration with every organisation represented.
“Our way of saying we understand the challenges faced by women and especially the young adolescent girls who amidst the crises are still menstruating.
“These people are with no access to pads, water, good toilets, lack of information on MHM, who are faced with myths and taboos that threaten their very lives during menstruation.”
Highlight of the event was the donation of a menstrual hygiene dock containing sanitary pads and tissue papers, practical demonstration of proper use of sanitary pads and hand washing techniques.
Executive Director, FORI Foundation for Women Empowerment and Environmental Initiative (FOFOWEEI) Ruth During, urged mothers and guardians to educate the younger girls on what menstruation and period was about.
This, she noted would enable them prepared for it whenever it was time.
She expressed displeasure over poor menstrual knowledge, saying it had led some young girls to getting unwanted pregnancies, adding that it was inimical to their educational pursuit and future.
“For children who are in school, when you get pregnant because of poor knowledge of menstrual period, you will drop out of school because no pregnant child will go to school.
“So when you see the blood, go to your parents. Some of you are very scared and might not want to discuss it with your parents. If you have a Biology teacher, you can ask him or her to educate you.
“We also advice parents, when the child starts seeing that blood (menstruation) talk to them so that they will not be caught unawares.”
During urged parents to educate their female children on the need to regularly take their bath especially during menstruation to maintain good hygiene.(NAN)
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing maternal and child mortality through improved health interventions and grassroots engagement.
Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers in Jalingo, Taraba State, she emphasized the administration’s focus on strengthening healthcare—particularly among women and youth—by targeting preventable diseases and improving service delivery.
“We are here to encourage frontline health workers by providing incentives and recognizing their efforts,” Tinubu stated. “When well-supported, we believe maternal and infant mortality rates will decline significantly.”
She underscored the crucial role traditional institutions play in community mobilization, urging monarchs to help raise awareness of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s ongoing health programs.
The First Lady also drew attention to the need for action on HIV/AIDS, especially mother-to-child transmission, which she described as persistently high. “Treatment for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis is available and free. We need to get this message to the people, and traditional leaders are key to that,” she added.
Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, echoed her sentiments, highlighting the government’s frontline healthcare efforts.
“In the North East alone, 8,500 frontline health workers have been trained—1,300 from Taraba. Over 1,000 health facilities receive quarterly funding from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, including 170 in Taraba,” he said.
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and First Lady Agyin Kefas, commended the federal interventions and noted they align with the state’s developmental priorities.
As part of her visit, Mrs. Tinubu donated 10,000 professional kits to midwives across the six North East states and presented a ₦50 million cheque to empower 1,000 women in Taraba.
Researchers have discovered that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic fragments directly into the mouth, raising concerns about microplastic exposure.
A study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that a single gram of gum can release an average of 100 microplastic particles, with some brands shedding over 600.
Lead researcher Sanjay Mohanty emphasized that while no direct evidence links microplastics to health risks, the study highlights another way these tiny pollutants enter the body.
People who chew around 180 pieces of gum annually could ingest approximately 30,000 microplastic fragments. However, Mohanty noted that bottled water and other sources contribute significantly more to microplastic intake.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, 4 Communities by Communities (4CbyC) is highlighting the resilience of women battling cervical cancer. Through personal narratives, the organization aims to raise awareness about the disease, stressing the importance of early detection, vaccination, and community-driven healthcare solutions.
For Ene, the impact of cervical cancer became deeply personal following the loss of her aunt, Evelyn, and the declining health of her mother. Living in Awo-Kajola, their family’s once-vibrant evenings were shattered by grief. Fearing a tragic pattern, Ene sought answers at the One-Stop Shop for Health, where she met a clinician, Funke.
Funke’s explanation changed everything: cervical cancer was not a curse but a preventable disease. Testing confirmed Ene’s worst fears—her mother had Stage 3 cervical cancer. However, hope remained. Funke assured Ene that she and her sister, Blessing, could receive the HPV vaccine, preventing future cases.
Similarly, Jennifer’s story underscores the urgency of awareness and healthcare access. Misdiagnosed for years, her cervical cancer advanced unchecked, and by the time she received proper care, it was too late. Financial constraints and limited healthcare resources delayed her treatment, leading to her passing in 2020.
To prevent more cases like Jennifer’s, organizations like the SaliHoe Foundation are stepping in, offering free cervical cancer screenings, vaccinations, and education. Campaigns such as “Know Her, Save Her” are using digital platforms to spread life-saving information, while FemmeHealth connects women with screening and treatment options.
Directors of 4CbyC—Prof. Juliet Iwelunmor, Prof. Joe Tuckler, and Prof. Oliver Ezechi—emphasize the need for continued advocacy, early detection, and accessible healthcare.
“The fight against cervical cancer is not just about health; it’s about breaking down the barriers of stigma, access, and education,” they said. “Through collective action, we can create a world where no woman dies from a preventable cancer.”
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