The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and Edo State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a National Obstetric Fistula Centre NOFIC in Benin, Edo State capital.
The signing ceremony was between the Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebolo.
According to a statement by Alaba Balogun
Deputy Director
Information &Public Relations issued on Thursday, the minister of State during the signing ceremony commended the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebolo for providing and renovating a temporary take-off point for the centre.
The Minister hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the establishment, saying, it was a signpost of his unwavering commitment for actualizing universal health coverage for Nigerians and the vulnerable.
He noted that Obstetric Fistula is being addressed and tackled head on by the Ministry through the Free Fistula Management Programme (FFMP) launched in June 2024.
According to Dr Salako,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 occurring annually”.
