A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and, Edo State Government for the establishment of a National Obstetric Fistula Centre NOFIC in Benin, Edo State capital.
The signing ceremony was between the Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebolo, Tuesday.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebolo for providing and renovating a temporary take-off point for the centre.
In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, it was revealed, that the Minister disclosed, that in addition to the commendable gesture, a provision of 22 hectares of land was made by the Executive Governor as a permanent site of the NOFIC, to serve the South-South geo-political zone of the country.
The Minister who hailed the President for the establishment, stated, that it was a signpost of his unwavering commitment for actualizing universal health coverage for Nigerians and the vulnerable.
To this end, Obstetric Fistula, according to Dr. Salako is being addressed and tackled headlong by the Ministry through the Free Fistula Management Programme (FFMP) launched in June 2024.
In addition to the FFMP, he continued, the Ministry will intensify efforts to prevent Nigerian women from developing obstertric fistula through the promotion of Safe Motherhood Initiatives which involves positive pregnancy, delivery and, postpartum experiences.
The Minister described obstetric fistula as a preventable medical scourge with dire consequences for the victim, family, society and the nation.
“Regrettably, Nigeria contributes the largest number to the global burden of the challenge, with an estimated 150,000 existing cases and 12,000 new cases occuring annually”.
