The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in partnership with Diatom Impact and Platform Capital, has donated thousands of reusable sanitary pads to female inmates across correctional centres in the country, alongside a pledge to provide weekly psychiatric and psychological care for inmates nationwide.
The association explained that the move was driven by the need to prioritise the health of inmates, noting that they remain part of society and will eventually return to it. It further stressed the importance of maintaining the mental and physical well-being of correctional service officers and caregivers, who must also stay healthy to effectively discharge their duties.
During a visit to the office of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) Controller, Sylvester Nwakuche, in Abuja on Wednesday, the 1st Vice President of the NMA, Dr. Oluwatosin Olowojebutu, led the association’s delegation and described the initiative as part of its commitment to restoring dignity and improving health within correctional facilities. Nwakuche, in turn, commended the gesture, calling it an act of compassion and a partnership that uplifts those in custody.
The group presented 4,000 packs of reusable sanitary pads for distribution to over 1,500 female inmates across Nigeria’s correctional facilities and officially introduced a structured, weekly medical outreach programme focused on psychiatric and psychological support.
Dr. Olowojebutu explained that the initiative was designed to ensure doctors visit every correctional centre at least once a week, addressing the long-standing challenge of irregular medical access caused by financial constraints.
“In the past, doctors had to travel up to 75 kilometres to reach some facilities without support. With this incentive provided by Dr Akindele, doctors now have transport and stipends to sustain the visits,” he said.
He further highlighted that the collaboration represents a major shift toward consistent, well-coordinated healthcare delivery in correctional institutions. “It’s sustainable now because there’s a funding component attached, and doctors are happy to give their time,” he added.
Also speaking, Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Diatom Impact and Platform Capital, who is financing the logistics of the weekly medical outreach, described the initiative as an expression of unity and compassion among Nigerians.
“Yes, there are challenges in the community, and all of us have been victims in one way or another. But this is our country; it is our home. And if it’s our home, we must take care of it,” he said.
He praised the leadership of the Correctional Service for its ongoing transformation of facilities into centres of rehabilitation and learning.
“You see a regulator that is human, empathetic, and visionary. You see an association of doctors whose core is compassion. Why won’t we support that? Everyone deserves dignity, hope, and a chance at life,” Akindele said.
He urged Nigerians to pay more attention to positive national developments that reflect progress rather than focusing solely on challenges. “There is greatness happening in Nigeria in every corner. Let’s tap into it and stop amplifying only the negatives. Let’s tell stories that move the nation forward,” he added.
In his remarks, Controller General of the NCS, Sylvester Nwakuche, hailed the donation of 4,000 reusable sanitary pads and the new mental health programme as a crucial step in improving inmate welfare nationwide.
He praised the NMA’s consistency and sincerity in sustaining its humanitarian commitments, describing the initiative as both practical and dignifying.
“It’s sustainable, cost-effective, and dignifying,” he said.
Nwakuche also lauded the introduction of psychiatric assessments and therapy sessions for inmates across the country, describing it as “A huge breakthrough in ensuring mental well-being,” and revealed plans to extend the initiative to ministerial levels.
He reaffirmed that inmates remain citizens entitled to humane treatment and reintegration opportunities. “People in our custodial facilities are not the dregs of society. Anybody can find themselves in custody, even for a brief mistake,” he said.
The CG further applauded Dr. Akindele’s earlier contributions to the Service, including the establishment of a Cisco-certified innovation centre at Kuje Correctional Facility.
“Our inmates now have Cisco certification from America. Other agencies are using the same facility for training. This is the kind of silent transformation happening in the Service,” he said.
Nwakuche described the NMA-Diatom partnership as a holistic effort addressing both the physical and psychological needs of inmates and endorsed Akindele’s proposal for a quarterly retreat for senior officers to enhance policy review and service delivery.
