By Agnes Imuetinyan
The National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, says it has spent over N513 million on free fistula treatment within six months of launching its Fistula Free Programme in all geopolitical zones in the country.
The Director-General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, made this known at the second steering committee meeting of the free fistula treatment programme in Abuja,
Dr. Ohiri, explained that a total of 1,629 women had benefited from the surgery, with nearly 2,000 claims submitted across the country.
He emphasized that significant progress made since the programme’s inception in June 2024, aimed at addressing both the clinical and non-clinical needs of women suffering from obstetric fistula.
“The programme, which operates across Nigeria, ensures that women receive comprehensive care, including surgery, post-treatment follow-up, feeding, transportation stipends, and enrollment in health insurance”.
“This initiative supports all women with obstetric fistula, regardless of their location, ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare services,” Dr. Ohiri stated.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said that the programme was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to expand access to quality and affordable care, especially for the poor and vulnerable populations.
Prof. Pate also noted that since the launch of the initiative, there had been a significant change in terms of care, and the remediation that women who have obstetric fistula had received.
