Abakaliki – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday donated 240, 000 varieties of Obstetric Fistula equipment worth N47million to Ebonyi Government.
Mrs Aler Grubbs, USAID Deputy Mission Director in Nigeria, disclosed this in Abakaliki when she presented the equipment to Gov. David Umahi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the equipment include Examination Couch with Arm-Wrest, Stethoscope, Sphygmano meter, weighing scale, theatre beds and assorted screens, among others.
According to her, fistula was a serious reproductive problem afflicting over 12, 000 women in Nigeria and over 3, 000 in Ebonyi.
“It seriously affects the victims and community they belong to, as it makes them develop uncontrollable leakage of urine and faeces from their reproductive organs.
“The victims are rejected by their families and communities, as it can only be corrected through obstetrics surgery supported with post-surgery care,” she said.
Grubbs said that the donation was part of USAID’s partnership with the Ebonyi Government and the National Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, to assist fistula patients.
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“The National Fistula Centre, Abakaliki is recognised across the country as a premier centre for fistula prevention and treatment, as we strive to ensure that our women are strong for a healthy society,” she said.
Grubbs said that apart from health-related interventions, USAID is also involved in other areas of human development, especially in developing countries.
“USAID provides humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people in the North-East zone and massive agricultural development in the south, among others,” she said.
The state governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said that USAID has become a household name in Ebonyi due to its numerous developmental interventions, especially in the health sector.
“Your presence is heavily felt especially by rural women, as we are no longer wallowing in ignorance of fistula affliction.
“Our people are presently aware that fistula is preventable and treatable, and we express our immense gratitude to USAID for ‘opening our eyes’ in that direction,” he said.
He said that the government was aware of expectations from USAID, assuring that it would always do its best to sustain the ‘profitable’ partnership.
Dr Daniel Umezurike, Ebonyi Commissioner for Health, said that USAID offers intervention on fistula in three major areas which include: Fistula Care, Fistula Maps and Fistula Deliver.
“Ebonyi would also benefit from the distribution of hand held-ultra sound devices in a programme to be organised by USAID in Abuja.
“These devices would help midwives in particular and other health workers effectively discharge relevant reproductive health tasks especially in the rural areas,” he said. (NAN)