First Bank has empowered 100 Visico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients and sponsored Obstetric Fistula Repair for 50 patients at Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital in Kano State.

100 among the beneficiaries are those who have undergone and recuperating from treatment while 50 would be fully sponsored to undergo surgery by the bank.

Speaking at the distribution and flag-off of the exercise, the Executive Director, Public sector, First Bank, Abdullahi Ibrahim, said the effort was in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health to support 50 Vesico-vaginal Fistula patients with VVF repair and economic empowerment as a component of rehabilitation and reintegration.

“Nigeria has the highest prevalence rate of VVF in the world with an estimated number of between 400,000- 800,000 women. It is said that there are between 12,000-20,000 new cases occurring every year with 90% remaining untreated. There are estimated about 2 million cases globally.

“Northern Nigeria has the highest prevalence of VVF accounting for about 75% of cases and Kano state VVF centre situated at Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital is one of the oldest in the country which serves as training ground for specialist on obstetric fistula,” Ibrahim said.

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He added that Obstetric fistula is associated with psychological, social, and economic challenges, and also including stigma, discrimination, abandonment, and neglect.

“That is why the need for philanthropists, well-to-do individuals, NGOs, corporate organisations to join hand with government to support the affected patients,” the director stated.

Ibrahim added that 100 beneficiaries were given portable pasta-making machine, one sack of flour, one bag of soya beans, and 4 litres of vegetable oil, while each of the 50 patients after repair will be supported with the same.

On his part, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was represented by the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zahrau Umar, commend the effort of the bank just as he congratulated the survivors of the VVF.

Ganduje described the initiative as a self-sustaining micro business that could strengthen the people’s capacity to care for themselves, especially at this critical time of economic hardship.

He, however, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity for their benefit and others.

Others present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Health, Amina Musa; Director-General, Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Chief Medical Director, Murtala Muhammad specialist hospital, among others.

The Star