As the world celebrates the International Women’sDay, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced free cesarean sections and emergency obstetric care for women facing life-threatening pregnancy complications.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, revealed this initiative during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night, emphasizing that the health and wellbeing of Nigerians remain at the heart of President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the nation.
“No woman should die because she cannot afford a cesarean section or other critical treatments,” Pate stated. “The Federal Government has approved free treatment of emergency obstetric complications in certified facilities, and that includes cesarean sections, excessive bleeding, obstructions, and other life-threatening conditions. If a woman gets to an accredited facility, the cost of her care will be covered.”
The initiative aims to address Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rate, where thousands of women lose their lives annually due to pregnancy-related complications, often because they can’t afford medical intervention.
But the government isn’t stopping there. Pate also announced free treatment for women suffering from vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) — a devastating childbirth injury that leaves women incontinent, often leading to stigma and social isolation.
“Every year, at least 10,000 women develop VVF,” the minister explained. “They leak urine, face rejection from their families, and struggle with the shame and discomfort of their condition. Many of them are young and unable to access the surgical care they desperately need because of the cost. We took it upon ourselves to ensure that every woman suffering from VVF will receive surgical repair fully funded by the government.”
Source: Ripples