The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has commissioned the Ultra-Modern Fistula Centre and Women Empowerment Centre in Maiduguri, BornoState, for the treatment and rehabilitation of fistula survivors in Borno and environs.
The centres which were declared opened by the State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, were constructed with the funding support of the Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Nigeria.
The Resident Representative of UNFPA, Ms. Ulla Mueller who is currently on a working visit to Maiduguri to interact with beneficiaries of humanitarian interventions implemented by the State Government with the support of UNFPA is also meeting with other stakeholders and humanitarian actors collaborating with UNFPA to eliminate maternal mortality, cancel unmet need for child spacing and abolish gender-based violence and harmful practices.
Obstetric Fistula is a preventable and treatable condition, and often symbolizes a health system that is challenged in serving its people effectively as it has been observed to only persist in poor countries of the world. It is estimated that over 400,000 women with obstetric fistula remain untreated in Nigeria.
The commissioning of the twin project, ultra-modern fistula centre together with the women empowerment centre in Maiduguri is to ensure that every woman who undergoes fistula surgery and is healed of the condition is able to learn a new skill at the empowerment centre and also receive a seed stock to commence an economically viable income yielding venture. The ultra-modern fistula centre is a 40-bed capacity centre equipped with a modern theatre within the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
