Health workers warned against female genital mutilation

Experts working in the government and non-government sectors have warned health workers against performing female genital mutilation.

They gave the warning during a workshop on the medicalisation of female genital mutilation organised by the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University of Ibadan in collaboration with other partners in Abuja.

The experts  said the involvement of health workers stalls the fight against  female genital mutilation, adding that  the practice is a form of gender based violence and has several short term and long terms consequences.

“Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) must not be encouraged or performed by any healthcare provider in Nigeria. Healthcare providers should support awareness creation against it. Also, no training institution in Nigeria should conduct any form of training that will make  female genital mutilation flourish , and sustained in the country,” they said in their communiqué after the workshop.

Minister of  Health  Prof Isaac Adewole, represented by Dr Kayode Afolabi, Head, Reproductive Health Division  said there was a wrong belief  among the populace that female genital mutilation is acceptable if it is performed by a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professionals.

Dr Oladosu Ojengbede, Executive Director of  the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University of Ibadan,  said it was important to raise champions against medicalization of female genital mutilation in Nigeria  because it was a new trend that was fast becoming worrisome among healthcare professionals.