Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Nigerian Medical Association, in partnership with the Diatom Impact Foundation, has donated sanitary towels to female inmates across correctional facilities in Nigeria as part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and women’s health.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the NMA Publicity Secretary, Dr Mannir Bature, the association said the initiative was inspired by recent findings from a Senate investigative panel, which identified poor menstrual hygiene among female inmates as a major concern.
The NMA, in response, collaborated with the Diatom Impact Foundation, founded by Dr Akindele Akintoye, to address the issue through advocacy and direct intervention.
A delegation led by the NMA President, Prof Bala Audu, represented by the First Vice-President, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, joined the Diatom Impact team on a courtesy visit to the National Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja.
The team was received by the Controller-General of the NCS, Mr Nwakuze, and his management staff.
During the visit, the NMA reiterated its commitment to improving health and well-being across all social sectors and announced plans to deploy mental health professionals and psychiatrists to correctional centres nationwide to provide psychological support for inmates.
In his remarks, Akintoye described philanthropy as “an expression of humanity,” pledging to sustain and expand the foundation’s humanitarian projects, including the sponsorship of the mental health initiative in correctional facilities.
Responding, the Controller-General commended both organisations for their intervention and expressed the service’s readiness for future collaborations aimed at enhancing inmate welfare and transforming correctional centres into rehabilitative environments.
The visit ended with an exchange of plaques and group photographs to commemorate the partnership and donation exercise.
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