Foundation plans free fistula repair surgery
By Rita Iliya
A Minna based NGO, the Raised Foundation has announced plans to carry out a medical outreach on free Fistula Repair Surgery on Jan. 27.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach would be conducted at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora, Niger.
The Communication Officer of the Foundation, Ruth Mamman-Jiya, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Minna on Wednesday.
She said the aim of the outreach was to provide free obstetric fistula repair for women.
“We intended to carry out 200 surgeries within one year, starting from July 2024 to June 2025. So far, we have done 121 surgeries, and this outreach is a continuation of that effort,” she said.
Mamman-Jiya explained that patients were expected to start arriving at the centre on Jan. 27.
She added that the foundation had mobilised patients through community mobilisers, health centres, and radio awareness campaigns.
According to her, the foundation has a good working relationship with most health centres within the state, saying they also refer patients to its centre.
She disclosed that the foundation had carried out over 800 surgeries since its inception in 2017.
She said before building the centre, the foundation conducted its outreaches in general hospitals across the state, until 2020 when the centre was completed.
“Since 2020, all surgeries have been carried out at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora,” she said.
Mamman-Jiya explained that the centre provided a free comprehensive package, including surgery, feeding, and accommodation.
“We don’t just treat them and leave them, we empower them with skills and start-up packs to reintegrate them into the society,” she said.
The communication officer said the centre’s vision was to create a Nigeria where no woman dies from pregnancy-related causes, and obstetric fistula was eradicated.
“We try to restore hope and dignity to women living with fistula, and our goal is to reduce the negative indices of Fistula in Nigeria,” she added.
Mamman-Jiya noted that the foundation’s efforts was geared toward reducing the number of women living with fistula.
She said no woman should have to bear the pains and troubles that come with obstetric fistula while trying to give birth.
She said the centre has a capacity for a full-fledged hospital, with wards, hostels, and offices.
She said the centre also has an empowerment programme involved in training women in various skills and also provide with start-up packs.
“We keep them for eight weeks, and during this time, we empower them with skills and knowledge to start a new life,” she said.
She added that the foundation’s efforts were geared towards restoring dignity and hope to women living with fistula.(NAN)
Edited by Mohammed Baba Busu/Gabriel Yough
Published By
-
Deputy Editor in Chief,
Multimedia, Solutions Journalism & Website.
Has also recently published
AgricultureFebruary 22, 2025Traders association, consortium empower smallholder farmers in Niger
MetroFebruary 22, 2025FG’s economic reforms will yield positive result- VC
General NewsFebruary 22, 2025First Lady empowers 500 women in Niger
FeaturesFebruary 21, 2025Addressing recurring vandalism, attacks in Oyo State schools
