Obstetrics

By Blessing Odega

The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) has commenced free obstetrics services for indigent women to curb rising maternal mortality.

Dr Pokop Bupwatda, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of JUTH, said this on Wednesday in Jos, during the inauguration of a standing committee for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and NewbornCare (CEMONC) services in JUTH.

Bupwatda said CEMONC was being provided by the Federal Government through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He said the service aimed at eliminating barriers to quality maternal healthcare, saving lives, and helping vulnerable women understand the importance of skilled healthcare services during pregnancy and childbirth.

The CMD said the programme was changing the narrative of maternal healthcare in Nigeria by reducing cases of avoidable maternal mortality and morbidity.

He explained that the beneficiaries would be selected and vetted by the committee to ensure that they were actually indigent women.

Bupwatda said that after screening, the women would have to register with the hospital to access the free services.

He urged the committee to be proactive in the discharge of its duty of ensuring the reduction to the barest minimum, incidences of maternal and neonatal mortality.

Prof. Shambe Iornum, chairman of the CEMONC committee, and Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) in JUTH, commended the CMD for finding the committee worthy of executing the task.

Iornum expressed sadness that one of the worst health indices in Nigeria was maternal mortality.

He said that most of the victims of maternal mortality and morbidity were usually indigent.

The chairman assured the CMD that the committee would be efficient in the discharge of its duty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee is made up of nine members from various departments of the hospital and a focal person for the NHIA. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Condoms

By Hawau Sulyman and Justina Auta

Stakeholders at the 2025 National Condom Summit in Abuja on Wednesday called for the local production of condoms to improve access to preventive measures against HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Nigeria.

The summit, held to commemorate International Condom Day (ICD), carried the theme “Just Use It: Protect, Prevent, Empower.”

Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), acknowledged Nigeria’s significant progress in HIV prevention but highlighted the persistent concern of new infections among young people.

Represented by Dr James Anenih, Director of Community Prevention and Care Services, Ilori attributed the rise in new cases to myths, stigma and limited access to effective HIV prevention tools.

She emphasised the crucial role of youth in the HIV prevention response and the need to equip them with the necessary information, tools and access to condoms to reduce HIV transmission, STIs and unplanned pregnancies.

“While we acknowledge new innovations in HIV prevention, condoms remain one of the most effective, accessible and affordable tools in preventing HIV and other STIs.

“However, access and acceptance remain a challenge.

“We must work together to eliminate barriers to condom distribution, address stigma, and promote a culture of safe sex practices,” Ilori stated.

Ilori urged stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to sustainable condom programming, calling for increased investment, expanded availability, and the integration of condom distribution into broader sexual and reproductive health services.

Mr Ugochukwu Alexander, Director of the Family Planning Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stressed the importance of further educating the public on condom usage to prevent HIV and other STIs.

He also advocated the establishment of youth-friendly centres in all health facilities to offer family planning services.

Mr Taofeek Adeleye, Nigeria Prevention Programme Manager at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), expressed concern over the poor usage of condoms and called for greater awareness to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs.

Adeleye further emphasised the need for government and stakeholders to invest in local condom production to enhance STI prevention, create jobs and boost national revenue.

“For condom security in Nigeria, it will not only serve public health purposes but also provide jobs and improve the economy.

“The policy direction should now focus on establishing condom production plants, which the government should promote,” Adeleye explained.

Mr Samuel Anya, Adviser on Science Systems and Services at UNAIDS, revealed that, based on the National AIDS Spending Assessment of 2021, only 0.09 per cent of the total HIV expenditure was allocated to condoms.

He deemed this allocation inadequate for addressing the needs of the general population.

He emphasised that the general population accounts for 89 per cent of new adult HIV infections, underscoring the importance of greater investment in condom distribution.

“We hope this summit will bring attention to the need to expand the correct use of condoms as a major tool in preventing HIV and ending the epidemic by 2030,” Anya said.

Mr Bayo Ewuola, Senior Media and Communications Officer at PATHFINDER International, reiterated the importance of accessible services and products to help individuals make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru