The federal government has announced that nearly 10,000 Nigerians benefited from specialist medical services, surgeries and other healthcare interventions under the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Saturday at the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and closing ceremony of the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Mr Salako said the initiative brought together thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora who voluntarily returned to the country to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers and support local health systems.

He described the programme as a demonstration of patriotism and an example of how diaspora expertise could help improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

According to him, diaspora medical teams drawn from organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany and South Africa delivered medical interventions across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Healthcare services

Mr Salako said the initiative provided medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening and other healthcare interventions to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.

He added that more than 2,000 frontline healthcare workers were trained during the programme to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.

Among the achievements highlighted by the minister were the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

He also said more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries were carried out in Enugu, Imo and Abia states.

According to him, advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures were performed in Lagos, while healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis.

He added that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through the initiative.

Government plans

Mr Salako said the federal government would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerian health professionals abroad by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements and supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions.

He added that the government would also encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

While acknowledging the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration was implementing reforms to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare, and professional development.

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He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry to enable them to contribute more effectively to the country’s health sector.

Mr Salako also called for sustained collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.

He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners and members of the joint planning committee for supporting the successful implementation of the initiative.

Conflicting advice circulating on social media has left many women questioning whether using toilet tissue after urinating could increase their risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), irritation or other intimate health problems.

Some online posts even claim that wiping with tissue paper is unsafe.

However, medical experts say there is no scientific evidence that using clean, plain, unscented tissue paper after urinating causes infections when used correctly.

Instead, they warn that practices such as douching, using scented feminine wipes, cleaning inside the vagina and wiping from back to front are far more likely to upset the natural balance of the genital area and increase the risk of infections.

Speaking with PT Health Watch, Yahya Mohammed, a medical doctor at the National Hospital, Abuja, said maintaining intimate hygiene does not require expensive products or excessive cleaning.

According to him, the real concern is not tissue paper itself but hygiene habits that introduce bacteria into the urinary tract or interfere with the body’s natural protective mechanisms.

Plain tissue paper is safe

Mr Mohammed said gently drying the genital area with clean, unscented toilet tissue after urinating is safe for most women and may even help reduce prolonged moisture that can contribute to skin irritation.

He explained that while wet wipes are generally safe if they are mild and fragrance-free, products containing perfumes, alcohol or harsh chemicals can irritate the delicate skin around the vulva.

Such irritation, he noted, is sometimes mistaken for an infection.

He stressed that routine use of feminine wipes is unnecessary.

According to him, washing the external genital area, the vulva, with clean water is sufficient for everyday hygiene. Women who prefer soap should use only mild, fragrance-free cleansers.

“Clean tissue paper is generally safe, while wet wipes are usually safe if they are non irritating,” he said.

What really causes UTIs?

Mr Mohammed explained that UTIs are most commonly caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally live in the bowel.

He said clean toilet tissue does not cause UTIs.

Although wet wipes may offer additional comfort during menstruation or for women experiencing diarrhoea or haemorrhoids, he said they should not replace routine washing with clean water.

Rather than worrying about tissue paper, he said women should focus on hygiene practices that prevent harmful bacteria from reaching the urinary tract.

Hygiene habits to avoid

Mr Mohammed identified several common practices that increase the risk of irritation and infection.

According to him, wiping from back to front after using the toilet can transfer bacteria from the anus to the urinary tract.

He also cautioned against using coloured, scented or antibacterial wipes for intimate hygiene, saying these products can irritate sensitive skin and may contribute to recurrent vaginal infections or allergic reactions.

Other habits women should avoid include wiping too aggressively, cleaning inside the vagina, douching after urinating, remaining in wet underwear for long periods, wearing very tight non breathable underwear and washing the vulva with harsh soaps.

He explained that douching can wash away the protective bacteria that help maintain the vagina’s normal pH, increasing the risk of infections.

The best way to clean after using the toilet

According to Mr Mohammed, the best hygiene method often depends on personal preference, skin sensitivity and what is readily available.

He recommended using plain, unscented toilet tissue to gently blot or wipe dry after urinating.

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After a bowel movement, women should wipe until the tissue is clean.

He added that rinsing the vulva with clean water is also an excellent option, while combining water with gentle drying using plain tissue provides additional comfort for many women.

Less is more

Mr Mohammed emphasised that women do not need elaborate intimate hygiene routines.

He explained that the vagina is naturally self-cleaning through normal secretions, while the vulva only requires gentle external cleaning.

He said excessive washing or using multiple intimate hygiene products can do more harm than good.

He advised women experiencing persistent itching, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during urination, foul odour or recurrent infections to seek medical attention rather than rely on social media advice or self-medication.

“The vulva cleans itself through its natural secretions,” he said.

He added that maintaining simple hygiene practices and seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms remain the best ways to protect intimate health.