SANITARY PADS SAFETY: DR. ZINARIYA OKOROCHA CHARGES NAFDAC TO INVESTIGATE HARMFUL CHEMICAL CLAIMS

Former Imo State First Lady and WODDI CEO Calls for Urgent Regulatory Action to Protect Women and Girls

The Chief Executive Officer of the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI) and former First Lady of Imo State, Dr. Zinariya Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and scientifically rigorous investigation into claims that some sanitary pads may contain harmful chemicals that could pose health concerns to women and girls.

Dr. Okorocha expressed concern over the growing public discussion surrounding the safety and composition of menstrual hygiene products used by millions of women and girls. She stressed that such concerns must not be ignored, dismissed or allowed to generate unnecessary panic, but should be subjected to proper scientific investigation by the appropriate regulatory authorities.

She specifically charged the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, to ensure that the Agency thoroughly investigates the claims through independent laboratory testing, proper sampling of sanitary products available in the Nigerian market and careful examination of their chemical composition and safety standards.

According to Dr. Okorocha, NAFDAC has a critical responsibility to protect consumers by ensuring that products used by Nigerians meet established safety and quality standards, both before they enter the market and throughout their period of circulation.

“Women and girls are the bedrock of every society, and anything that concerns their health, safety and dignity must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. We cannot afford to ignore concerns about products that come into direct and repeated contact with the bodies of women and girls. At the same time, we must allow science, evidence and proper investigation to establish the facts.”

She urged NAFDAC to make the findings of its investigation public, stressing that transparency would help Nigerians understand the facts and distinguish genuine health concerns from misinformation or unfounded claims.

Dr. Okorocha further called for greater collaboration between NAFDAC, medical professionals, researchers, consumer protection organisations, manufacturers and women’s groups to ensure that sanitary products available in Nigeria meet the highest possible safety standards.

She said manufacturers and distributors must also take responsibility for ensuring that their products are safe, properly labelled and produced in accordance with regulatory requirements.

“This is not about creating fear or panic among women and girls. It is about asking the right questions and demanding clear answers. If the claims are found to be unfounded, let the scientific evidence establish that. If harmful substances are discovered, then appropriate regulatory action must follow. Nigerians deserve nothing less.”

The former First Lady maintained that the health and wellbeing of women and girls must remain a priority in public health policy, noting that menstrual hygiene is not a luxury but an essential aspect of women’s health and dignity.

She therefore urged the NAFDAC Director-General to treat the matter with urgency and ensure that Nigerians receive a clear, credible and scientifically supported explanation regarding the safety of sanitary pads sold in the country.

Dr. Okorocha reaffirmed her commitment, through the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), to continue advocating for issues affecting the welfare, health, dignity and wellbeing of women and girls across Nigeria.

Dr. Zinariya Nkechi Rochas Okorocha
Chief Executive Officer, Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI)
Former First Lady, Imo State