Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have taken a bold step toward ending Nigeria’s silent crisis of obstetric fistula by advancing a bill to establish the National Hospital for Women in Ideato, Imo State. The bill, which scaled second reading on July 24, 2025, received overwhelming support during plenary and is now one step closer to reality.
Sponsor of the bill, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, said the specialised hospital will fill a gaping void in Nigeria’s maternal and reproductive health infrastructure. The facility will be dedicated to prevention, treatment, research, rehabilitation, and education on women-specific health issues—especially obstetric fistula, a condition affecting an estimated 12,000 Nigerian women annually, according to the UNFPA.
Ugochinyere lamented the lack of specialised medical centres in rural communities, which leaves thousands of women suffering in silence. Citing Federal Ministry of Health data, he noted that most cases are preventable with timely care, but women in regions like Ideato remain cut off from lifesaving maternal services due to poor healthcare access.
Beyond treatment, the proposed National Hospital for Women will serve as a national hub for reproductive health policy innovation, offer advanced training for medical professionals, and promote gynaecological research in underserved parts of the country. The lawmaker described it as “a lifeline for Nigeria’s forgotten women.”
He explained that the hospital will also support medical tourism, reduce maternal deaths, and empower women to make informed health decisions. The institution’s core pillars include comprehensive care delivery, targeted education campaigns, and a knowledge-driven approach to combat stigmas surrounding fistula and other maternal issues.
During debate, lawmakers from across party lines lauded the proposal, acknowledging the urgency of Nigeria’s maternal health challenges. Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, described the bill as “a legacy project” before conducting a voice vote that saw it pass without objection.
If enacted, the hospital could position Imo State as a continental leader in women’s health and a model for other regions. Stakeholders in women’s advocacy and public health have already begun rallying behind the bill, calling for swift passage through third reading and Presidential assent.
