Uche Alexis|24 August 2017
The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong on behalf of His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade,recently flagged off the second round of the Obstetric Fistula repair and rehabilitation exercise organised by the State Government in collaboration with Engender Health the implementing partners for USAID in the State.
Speaking during the flag off, the Honorable Commissioner said the event is part of the weeklong activities of the Safe Motherhood Week which commences today across the 18 Local Government Areas in the State. She said the first phase which was held in April recorded huge successes and this will continue every other month until the State is VVF free as the State has a budget line in place for its sustainability.
The State programme manager of Engender Health, Dr Iyeme Efem in his remarks lauded the efforts of the State Government in creating the Fistula center in the State and also creating an enabling environment for the ocollaboration.
Meanwhile the VVF Desk Officer at the Federal level, Mrs Ogunmaye Peters highlighted that the Honorable Minister for Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has approved waiving of treatment fees for VVF in all Federal Medical Centes and Teaching Hospitals across the country.
The event had in attendance two beneficiaries, Elizabeth Ebakayam and Alice Uga, who came with their babies to share their success stories following the repairs they had a year ago at the VVF centre of the Ogoja General Hospital and subsequent successful pregnancy and delivery at the same hospital. They both attested to the free VVF repair, rehabilitation and reintegration package provided by the State Government and encouraged other women to take advantage of this opportunity. The week-long event will see over 40 patients across the State undergo free VVF repair and rehabilitation.
Uche Alexis
Is a Health Reporter
