Presidency, association partner on women’s health
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Women’s Health has pledged to collaborate with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) to strengthen women’s health initiatives across the country.
Dr Adanna Steinacker, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health, made the pledge during a meeting with MWAN executive members in Abuja on Friday.
She commended MWAN for the courtesy visit and expressed appreciation for the association’s willingness to work with the presidency to advance women’s health and rights.
According to her, MWAN plays a critical role in the country’s health system.
“As clinicians and leaders working directly with women and girls, MWAN’s perspective reflects both evidence-based insights and the realities of service delivery,” she said.
Steinacker highlighted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration prioritises human capital development and health system strengthening.
She noted that on Sept. 11, 2025, the President launched RenewHER, the Presidential Women Health Transformation Initiative, aimed at coordinating system-level improvements in women’s health outcomes.
She said RenewHER advances its mission through three interconnected pillars designed to strengthen women’s health across Nigeria.
These include a national digital media and advocacy platform to improve health literacy, geopolitically anchored campaigns on maternal, sexual and reproductive, and mental health, and high-level summits and coalition-building with government, civil society, and other partners.
Steinacker noted that mental health remains under-discussed and called for increased awareness to support women and girls.
In her remarks, Dr Zainab Mohammad-Idris, National President of MWAN, expressed the association’s readiness to collaborate with the presidency.
She highlighted MWAN’s ongoing initiatives on maternal and child health and said support from the presidency would enhance their reach and effectiveness.
Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, President of MWAN, FCT Chapter, also pledged the association’s support for the SSA’s office while seeking backing for MWAN’s own initiatives, especially on maternal mortality and cervical cancer screening.
