The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate on Friday confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved free treatment for women with complications in pregnancy which includes free cesarean sections as part of his vision for the health and well-being of Nigerians

The Minister who added that health and well-being of the people are fundamental to President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria as a guest on Channels Television Programme, Politics Today.

This, according to him, was why the President was determined that to reduce the number of deaths associated with obstetric complications.

This, he said was to ensure that no woman dies because she cannot afford cesarean section or other such treatments.

“The Federal Government has approved) free treatment of emergency obstetric complications for women in the empanel facilities and that includes cesarean sections.

“So, it’s not only cesarean sections, excessive bleeding, obstruction, other complications of pregnancy. If a woman gets to a facility that is certified, the facility will be reimbursed for the care.

“The reason for that, I cannot emphasise this enough, the president is very clear in his mind that the health and wellbeing of Nigerians is core through his own agenda and vision for the country.”

On how the initiative will work, Pate said the Federal Government mobilised is working with the Health Insurance Authority to reimburse payments for treatments so that cost would not be a burden for women who go there for treatment.

On the free treatment for women with vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), the Minister said the surgical repair and that will be paid for by the government.

He noted that about 2,000 women have already benefited from the VVF treatment.

Pate disclosed that the Federal Government has selected 154 health facilities across Nigeria for free treatment of women who have obstetric complications and 18 centres across the nation for free treatment of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).

These facilities will cater to women experiencing health challenges during pregnancy, labour, delivery, or the postpartum period, which could affect the well-being of both mother and baby.

Check the list of the facilities below: