Agency report
Acting Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Nicolas Simard, has assured of increased support toward improving the healthcare and education sectors in the country.
Simard gave the assurance while presenting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets and other equipment to the newly established Fistula Repair Centre located at General Hospital, Goronyo, Sokoto State, on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
He expressed satisfaction with the achievements recorded on fistula repairs, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, stressing that the success was a source of encouragement.
The High Commissioner said the Canadian Government provided funds through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to improve women’s healthcare, especially reproductive health, to augment government efforts on access to quality healthcare and access to education.
He added that “fistula patients from Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria have been operated on at the Goronyo centre and the women are now stronger; lives are being enhanced daily.”
The UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Ulla Mueller, also expressed satisfaction with the success recorded at the Fistula centre and other support services rendered to women and girls.
She commended the wife of the Sokoto Governor, Hajiya Mariya Tambuwal, and the state government health workers, for their commitment.
While noting that the rate of fistula cases in the country called for concern, she reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to addressing the challenge, as well as maternal health, gender based violence and other harmful practices.
In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, thanked the donors for the investment toward enhancing peoples’ lives, noting that the support would augment government’s efforts.
Inname said the Fistula Repair Centre located at the Maryam Abacha Women and Children’s Hospital had been upgraded with modern equipment for experts to conduct minor and complex fistula surgeries for patients from all over the country.
He said with the establishment of additional Fistula Repair Centre at Goronyo General Hospital, Sokoto State had became a hub for fistula treatment and assured of sustained programmes.
The Commissioner said that the state government accorded priority to healthcare as modern hospitals and teaching hospitals were established and equipped.
On her part, Hajiya Kulu Sifawa, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, said women in the state were major beneficiaries of the gestures and it had greatly impacted their lives.
Sifawa noted that women suffering and living with fistula for long period were treated, rehabilitated and reintegrated to their communities.
The Canadian High Commissioner and his delegation also interacted with the fistula patients and health workers and inspected facilities at the centre.
(NAN)
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