Nigerian govt initiates strategies to improve women health
Women’s Health Initiative Discussed at Presidential Villa
ABUJA — More than 20 women’s groups gathered at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday for a meeting organized by the Federal Ministry of Health. The aim was to strengthen and coordinate healthcare provisions for women across Nigeria.
Dr. Adanna Steinacker, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Women’s Health, coordinated the event, which sought to bring together various stakeholders, including civil society representatives, community groups, and professionals who engage with women at the grassroots level.
“This gathering is a part of our efforts to listen to those who represent and work directly with women in underserved areas,” Steinacker said. She emphasized that understanding the challenges women face is crucial to advancing the RenewHER Presidential Women’s Health Transformation Initiative, which focuses on prioritizing women’s health issues nationwide.
During the meeting, Steinacker outlined plans to implement a nationwide strategy established by the Health Ministry. This strategy will facilitate discussions aimed at improving advocacy and service delivery for women.
“The primary focus today was to listen,” she stated. “The solutions we create must be relevant to those who need them most, particularly in underserved regions where barriers to access exist.”
Steinacker noted that the inclusion of women’s groups was significant due to their proximity to grassroots issues. “If we want to deliver effective solutions, we need to understand the root of the problems,” she explained.
She also mentioned the potential establishment of a technical working group to address specific health challenges. “This will not be a response to just one issue, but rather a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders from civil society and government,” she said.
Several key issues affecting women’s health were raised during the discussions, including:
- Access to family planning services
- Teenage pregnancies in mining communities
- Respiratory complications related to dust exposure
- Gender-based violence and maternal mortality
- Mental health concerns
- Economic and emotional abuse
- Challenges in childbirth services, particularly in farming communities
- Health education for girls and issues related to sexual abuse
- Malnutrition, pregnancy complications, cancer, and stigma against women with disabilities
- Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) linked to child marriages
The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to enhance women’s healthcare across Nigeria by facilitating collaboration among various stakeholders.
