The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has donated reusable sanitary pads and pledged regular psychiatric and medical support for inmates across correctional facilities in the country.
The gesture, made during a visit to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Headquarters in Abuja, was received by the Controller-General of the Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, who described the move as a “promise kept.”
Nwakuche commended the association for demonstrating sincerity and professionalism through the donation, noting that such partnerships help to humanise correctional facilities and improve inmates’ welfare.
“For the Nigerian Medical Association to make this donation and follow it through “shows your sincerity and professionalism. Anyone can find himself or herself in custody, even for an hour. So, we must all work together to make life easier for them,” he said.
He said the partnership aligns with the Service’s reforms to ensure humane treatment and better healthcare delivery for inmates, including access to mental health care.
The Controller-General also acknowledged the contributions of Dr Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Diatom Impact and Platform Capital, who built and equipped a digital learning centre at the Kuje facility, where inmates undergo Cisco certification and vocational training.
“He built, equipped, and certified the facility; other agencies now use that hall for training. He doesn’t make noise about it, but he has done so much,” Nwakuche added.
Nwakuche expressed optimism that the partnership will deepen health interventions in correctional facilities and called on other professional bodies to emulate the NMA’s example.
“It’s not just about the sanitary pads but also about psychiatric and psychoanalytic care. This is huge, and we will escalate it to our minister’s notice,” he said.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the recruitment of medical doctors and nurses into the Service to strengthen health delivery across over 250 correctional facilities nationwide.
First Vice President of the NMA, Dr Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu, announced that the association would deploy doctors nationwide to provide weekly medical and psychiatric evaluations for inmates, supported by Diatom Impact.
“Doctors will visit the facilities one day every week to see patients. This will now be regular and sustainable because funding is attached to it. Both inmates and officers will receive continuous medical and mental health support,” Olowojebutu explained.
He said the initiative follows findings from an investigative panel, which identified limited access to psychiatric care as one of the significant challenges in correctional centres.
On his part, Dr Akindele said the collaboration represents the beauty of Nigeria, noting that unity and compassion remain essential to national progress.
Despite the challenges, this is our country—it’s our home. Everyone deserves dignity and hope. The correctional officers and doctors are the real heroes; we are just supporting the great work they are already doing,” he said.
The reusable sanitary pads, locally produced for long-term use of up to two years, were distributed to female inmates as part of efforts to enhance menstrual hygiene and restore dignity among women in custody.
