‘My Period Stories’ sparks cross-continental dialogue on non-invasive fibroid care

By Sola Charles 

 

 Towards bringing the issue of uterine fibroids out of silence and into the limelight, the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC), in conjunction with the Fibroid Care Centre, Lagos, held the  My Period Stories Virtual Watch Party - a hybrid Pan-African conversation centered on the theme: Fighting Fibroid: the Non-Invasive Procedure.

which featured highlights of “My Period Stories with Funke Treasure”, Nigeria's first television-format podcast addressing menstrual stigma and reproductive health, medical experts, and clients among other speakers, called on the government, healthcare industry stakeholders, and civil society to drive the awareness promoting equitable access to non-invasive treatment options for fibroids.

 Speaking at the forum, the Convener, My Period Stories Virtual Watch Party, Anikeade Funke Treasure, said the hybrid gathering marks a significant step in expanding public discourse and mobilizing cross-sectoral support for menstrual health.

 Funke Treasure, who is also the podcast host, said, “The aim is to inspire deeper regional collaboration and sustainable systems that advance public health and dignity for women across the African continent.

 “When we have a watch party like this, we're highlighting a particular episode or issue that we've treated within a season, and we're asking friends, stakeholders, and support groups to watch live.

 “We dedicated four episodes of this second season to fibroids,  titled it Fighting Fibroids, and we did four basic issues, so we thought we'd be the amplifier of these issues and be the bridge between those who are still in the closet and those who are willing to  have open conversations.”

 On his part, the  MD/CEO of the Fibroid Care Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, said there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fibroid treatment. We need to look at each woman’s aspirations, symptoms, and fibroid type to tailor her options.”

 “The Fibroid Care Centre pioneered High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in Nigeria and West Africa, offering a non-invasive approach that uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy fibroid tissue—without the need for surgery, anesthesia, or hospital stays.

“We are keeping the discussion about fibroids in the front burner because we know that fibroid is very common and not spoken about enough, what we are doing this to make people aware of the symptoms so that early diagnosis can be possible, and also to look at the various options available for treating fibroids and also to encourage research and funding for uterine fibroids.

 “The major takeaway is that we've been able to learn more about fibroids and spoken to the people who have gone through treatment of uterine fibroids, and their experiences before and after. And we are especially looking at the psychological aspect of uterine fibroids and the impact on women who have fibroids."

 Ajayi said part of the most important learning is the need to pay a lot of attention to the psychological well-being of women who have fibroids.

 “There is no method that is a one-size-fits-all; you have to look at each woman because that's what we're trying to preach now that fibroids need specialized or individualized treatment. You need to look at what this woman does, what her aspirations are, what kind of fibroid she has, and then give her the options,” he asserted.

Funke Treasure is a pioneering menstrual health advocate, media personality, and grassroots mobilizer whose leadership of the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC) has driven widespread awareness and action against period poverty across Nigeria and West Africa. 

Her work spans media, youth empowerment, and policy engagement, earning her notable recognitions such as the 2024 Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards (triple category winner), TIBA Awards 2024 Social Impact of the Year, and the 2023 Girl Force Movement SHERO Award.

 Through initiatives like the Media Mentoring Initiative, My Period Stories Podcast, and the My Period, My Pride radio drama, she amplifies menstrual narratives to combat stigma and promote equity. 

Her campaign currently supports over 4,500 girls in 14 Nigerian states with monthly menstrual hygiene kits and school retention incentives.

 

WHO sounds alarm as Chikungunya virus threatens global spread

By Seun Greeners

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the accelerating threat of a global chikungunya outbreak, urging immediate international action to contain the mosquito-borne virus before it spirals into a major epidemic.

WHO experts revealed alarming parallels between current transmission patterns and those observed before a sweeping outbreak two decades ago. With cases emerging in 119 countries and an estimated 5.6 billion people at risk, WHO emphasized the urgency of ramping up surveillance, public health education, and mosquito control strategies.

"Chikungunya is not a disease that is widely known, but it has been detected and transmitted in 119 countries globally, putting 5.6 billion people at risk. We’re seeing the same warning signs, and we must act decisively to avoid history repeating itself,” said Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez of WHO.

Rojas Alvarez recalled how from 2004 to 2005, a major chikungunya epidemic swept across the Indian Ocean, hitting small island territories before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.

"Today, WHO is seeing the same pattern emerge: since the beginning of 2025, Reunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius have all reported major chikungunya outbreaks. One-third of the population of Reunion is estimated to have been infected already," she said in Geneva.

Chikungunya causes high fever and intense joint pain, often leaving victims incapacitated for weeks. Though rarely fatal, its debilitating symptoms and rapid spread have raised alarm bells within global health circles.

The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus disease, making it difficult to diagnose, according to the WHO.

Rojas Alvarez said that like 20 years ago, the virus was now spreading to other places in the region, such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya with epidemic transmission also occurring in south Asia.

In Europe, imported cases have also been reported, linked with the outbreak in the Indian Ocean islands. Local transmission has been reported in France, and suspected cases detected in Italy.

"Because these patterns of transmission were seen in the outbreak from 2004 onwards, WHO is calling for urgent action to prevent history from repeating itself, case fatality rate less than one percent, but when you start counting millions of cases, that one percent can be thousands of deaths.

"We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early, detect and strengthen all the capacities to avoid going through very large outbreaks," Rojas Alvarez said.

She explained that in regions where populations have little or no immunity, the virus can quickly cause significant epidemics, affecting up to three-quarters of the population.

Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

The latter, which is known as the tiger mosquito, is venturing farther north as the world warms because of human-driven climate change.

They bite primarily during daylight hours, with peak activity often in the early morning and late afternoon.

The WHO urged people to protect themselves through measures like using mosquito repellent and not leaving water to stagnate in containers such as buckets, where mosquitoes can breed.