Cerba Lancet Nigeria, one of the country’s leading medical diagnostics firms, has intensified efforts to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and related health conditions, including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), through its long-running corporate social responsibility initiative, Pad Up a Girl.
The initiative, which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: ‘to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being,’ focuses on equipping young girls with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to manage their menstrual health effectively. The programme also seeks to challenge long-standing taboos surrounding menstruation.
The medical director and senior pathologist at Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Dr. Fred John Obiajulu, during the ‘’ PAD UP A GIRL’’ campaign at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Satellite town, Lagos, said the campaign is designed not just to distribute sanitary materials, but to deeply educate girls about the science of menstruation and related conditions that are often misunderstood or neglected, such as PCOS.
“We believe that when you have a healthy girl child, you have a healthy society. Our goal is to empower girls with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their menstrual health effectively and confidently. This includes talking openly about conditions like PCOS, which affects hormone levels and menstrual cycles,” Obiajulu stated.
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods, acne, and fertility challenges among women. Obiajulu explained that early education and medical attention are key.
“PCOS is managed by a physician who will recommend personalized treatment based on the individual’s condition,” he said.
Now in its eighth year, the Pad Up a Girl campaign has reached thousands of students across both urban and rural Nigeria.
Head of Business Development for Cerba Lancet Nigeria, Temitope Ambrose, emphasized that the campaign does not discriminate in its outreach strategy. “We reach out to schools regardless of their location or status. Whether in rural or urban areas, every girl deserves access to menstrual health education,” he said.
Cerba Lancet Nigeria’s commitment to menstrual health education is part of a broader strategy to empower girls, especially in underserved communities. The healthcare firm plans to continue the programme annually, expanding its reach by partnering with schools, NGOs, and community-based organisations. “In the long run, we want to build a healthier and more confident generation of young women. Menstruation should never be a source of shame, fear, or misinformation. That is what Pad Up a Girl is about,” Ambrose added.
So far, over 2,000 students have benefitted from the initiative at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School alone. The most recent event featured hands-on educational sessions, interactive Q&As, and discussions with healthcare professionals.
Commandant of the school, Navy Captain Yakubu Mbaya Haruna, praised the campaign as quite interesting and highly educative, adding that it came at a crucial time for many young girls navigating the challenges of adolescence. “We will continue to sensitize them on menstrual health and reinforce this knowledge through debates and quizzes,” he said.
Students were equally enthusiastic. One of the participants, Okekiosla, expressed how the campaign had changed her understanding. “I learned that we need to maintain proper hygiene and that some discomforts, like breast pain during menstruation, are normal. It helped me feel less worried,” she said.
The school matron, Mrs Musa Janet Oiywodu, echoed these sentiments, saying that the knowledge gained from the campaign would have long-term benefits. “They now understand their cycles, what to look out for in terms of infection, and how to manage themselves hygienically. We will keep the education going through regular talks in the hostel and during morning assemblies,” she said.
