The Federal Government has shown support for a new programme aimed at improving women’s health outcomes with the introduction of the Built for Her Foundation and the provision of scholarships to 30 female medical students across Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Dr. Mayowa Alade, who represented the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the initiative was in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the health sector.
She said, “The Federal Government is implementing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to strengthen the health system, with a strong focus on women’s health and the reduction of maternal and child mortality.”
Alade added that bridging the gender health gap was vital to the success of wider health reforms, noting that “without intentional action for women, our broader health reforms cannot succeed.”
Founder of the Built for Her Foundation, Dr. Teniola Saraki, said the initiative was established to address long-standing gaps in women’s health and representation within the medical workforce.
She said, “Women spend about 25 per cent more of their lives in poor health compared to men, yet female representation in Nigeria’s physician workforce remains below 40 per cent.”
Saraki explained that the foundation chose to start with medical students because of the influence early support could have on retention and performance.
She said, “This scholarship targets 400-level female medical students, a critical stage of training, and covers 30 beneficiaries selected across the six geopolitical zones in partnership with the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association.”
One of the beneficiaries, Hindat Abdulwahab, a 400-level medical student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the scholarship came at a crucial moment.
She said, “This support reminds me that I belong here and gives me the confidence to continue my medical training despite the challenges.”
Abdulwahab added that the scholarship had reduced the financial burden linked to medical education and reinforced her commitment to serving in the health sector.
