Kwiza Mbumbeh, Maiduguri
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with Korean and Canadian Governments, is to “refurbish and equip” the obstetric fistula repair centre in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. The Korean Government (KOICA International) has already donated $5 million (N1.8 billion) to complete three-year fistula repair project on Reproductive and Maternal Health (RMH) in the state. UNFPA Acting Representative in the country, Dr. Eugene Kongnyuy disclosed this on Sunday in a statement released in Maiduguri. He said that the project on MRH services; was to support humanitarian activities in Borno state for three years. Eugen; in the statement also said: “Meanwhile another support provided by KOICA International is hospital equipment, which the head of delegation will hand over to the Government of Borno State at the State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri. “This fistula repairs project will put a lot of smiles of faces women and girls, as the remodeled and equipped VVF repair centre, are giving back dignity to our women in Borno.” On 12-day campaigns against fistula, he said: “UNFPA’s flagging of fistula Campaigns in Borno state was made possible by the Canadian government, which renovated and refurbished as well as equipped the obstetric fistula operation complex in Maiduguri. “We leveraged on the availability of this new theater to bring experts and surgeons from France and Nigerian to perform surgeries to a targeted 150 women and girls during the 12-day campaigns. It had commenced on Monday July 23, 2018 across the state. The UNFPA media and communication specialists, Kori Habib on Sunday further disclosed that 130 women and girls have already been screened for surgery at State Specialists Hospital, fistula repair centre. According to her, 11 complex cases have been identified and since repaired and a lot more repairs are ongoing at the Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) repairs centre. Her words: “The first phase of the Obstetric Fistula Campaign in Borno will end this week; Wednesday, August 1, 2018 and a refresher Seminar for health workers on recent advances on obstetric fistula repairs will hold; on the following day in Abuja. Borno State Government, according to her, expressed appreciation for UN agency’s support in bringing into the state and reach out to women and girls in dire need of sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
