NYSC And Pregnancy tests

NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS
National Directorate Headquarters
Plot 416, Tigris Crescent
Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street
Yakubu Gowon House
Maitama - Abuja

RE: ALLEGED FORCED MANDATORY OPEN AIR PREGNANCY TEST ON FEMALE CORPS MEMBERS IN THE LAGOS NYSC CAMP PUBLISHED IN THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER OF SUNDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 2009: THE POSITION OF THE SCHEME

i. The policy of pregnancy test started in 2003 as a result of Management’s efforts to address increasing cases of miscarriages due to the rigorous nature of some of the activities at the Orientation Camps. Some of these miscarriages come with attendant health implications. When such cases were becoming rampant, out of concern for the health of both the mother and the child, Management decided to ask Pregnant prospective Corps members to stay away from the Camp until they are delivered. The logic behind the Pregnancy test is to therefore safeguard the lives of both the mother and child and not to “weed out liars” as claimed by the writer.

ii. Members of staff of NYSC are known to be humane and cordial in their dealings with Corps members. The allegation that Corps members were shouted upon will not have been true and the reason behind assigning female members of staff to supervise the specimen taken, is to curtail some desperate Corps members from submitting third party urine.

iii. The claim that they were given plastics to urinate in is not true as NYSC Management provided sterile bottles for female Corps members to submit their urine specimen. They were also provided with water and disinfectant to wash their hands after the exercise.

2. We wish to emphasize that NYSC is a human Scheme that is mother and baby friendly and is conducting this test out of genuine concern for the lives of these Corps members.

3. While assuring all and sundry of our total commitment and regard for human rights and gender equality, please accept the assurances of our warm regards and esteem.

Signed
NYSC MANAGEMENT

28TH DECEMBER, 2009