LAGOS, NIGERIA — Higher education in Nigeria comes with enough pressure without the added burden of navigating health stigma. Yet, for thousands of university students, accessing basic reproductive healthcare remains a daunting task, often hindered by cost, judgment, or privacy concerns.
To bridge this gap, Nigerian digital health platform GoMed has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Lagos State Government to launch a digital Self-Care Platform tailored for tertiary students.
Initially launched at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the joint initiative aims to remove traditional barriers to healthcare by offering free sexual and reproductive health commodities, student discounts on essential supplies, expert consultations, and discreet delivery directly to campus dormitories.
Overcoming the Stigma of Student Healthcare
Young adults across Nigeria frequently encounter systemic challenges when seeking reproductive guidance. High costs, long distances to clinics, pervasive social stigma, and fears over confidentiality routinely discourage students from obtaining necessary protection and advice. The consequences of these gaps are severe, contributing to high rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and disrupted academic careers.
The new Self-Care Platform addresses these hurdles head-on. By leveraging GoMed’s digital distribution network alongside government and UN support, UNILAG students can now request free contraceptives and health products provided by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and UNFPA—without leaving their campus environment.
Integrated Digital Support and Confidential Care
Beyond physical supplies, the platform integrates educational tools and professional advice to combat health misinformation:
Direct Provider Consultations: Students gain access to UNFPA’s SoftLife 247 and U-Plan platforms. Through U-Plan, users can chat directly with certified Family Planning Service Providers to address individual concerns.
Pharmacist Guidance: The platform connects users with GoMed’s registered pharmacists for confidential, non-judgmental advice regarding medications and health management.
Campus-Wide Delivery: Orders and health essentials are delivered quickly and discreetly directly to student hostels, guaranteeing total privacy.
Closing the "Last Mile" in Youth Healthcare
For UNFPA and the Lagos State Government, the partnership addresses a critical "last mile" challenge: ensuring that free family planning commodities actually reach the young people who need them most.
Anthony Edeki, CEO of GoMed Nigeria, emphasized the importance of discreet access:
"Students should be able to get reliable health information and essential products without cost, distance, or fear of judgement becoming barriers. This platform brings free sexual and reproductive health commodities, other affordable health products, and professional guidance together, with discreet delivery directly to students on campus."
Adding to this, Dr Muriel Mafico, UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, highlighted the agency's commitment to empowering the next generation:
"As the UN agency mandated for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, we are committed to reducing preventable maternal deaths and addressing the unmet need for family planning, including by providing and overseeing access to life-saving commodities worldwide. Working alongside our partners, we’re helping roll out the digital Self-Care Platform—so that vital, life-changing information can reach more people, more easily."
Future Expansion Across Nigeria
The UNILAG launch marks the beginning of a broader strategy. GoMed and its institutional partners plan to use the initial rollout as a blueprint to expand the digital self-care model to additional universities across Lagos State and nationwide, creating a safer, healthier environment for Nigeria's student population.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the GoMed Self-Care Platform?
It is a digital health service created by GoMed Nigeria, UNFPA, and the Lagos State Government that allows university students to access free reproductive health commodities, discounted health supplies, and confidential medical advice delivered discreetly to campus.
How do students receive their orders?
Students can order essential health products online via the platform, which are then packaged discreetly and delivered directly to their campus hostels or designated university locations.
Who can use the platform currently?
The initial phase of the platform is available to students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with plans to scale to other Nigerian university campuses in the near future.
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