Sokoto Govt. Operated 287 Women Of VVF, just as Jaiz Foundation Donates #5m To Patients in Niger State

Jul 18, 2016  by Trace Reporter 

Sokoto State commissioner for Health, Dr. Balarabe Kakale Shuni, has said that no fewer than 287 women have been treated of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) within the last one year.

The Commissioner also stated that the state government has concluded plans to foot the marriage bills of VVF treated persons as a way of discouraging any form of stigmatization hitherto labelled against them, adding that age is not a determinant for VVF.

According to him, despite the recent reduction in VVF cases in the state, there is still the need to sustain the tempo in sensitizing people on the remote and immediate causes of VVF.

The basic causes of VVF, according to Dr Shuni, include prolonged obstructed labour as well as other traditional practices that jeopardize the life of the expectant mother.

He however, noted that cases of VVF are more prevalent in the rural areas compared with urban centers.

Dr. Kakale further insisted that Sokoto state now has but two percent of HIV/AIDS prevalence compared to those days when it used to be six percent or more.

The Commissioner, while stressing that guinea worm is now history in the state, noted that Turbaclosis is never a death certificate, hence it is treatable.

He added however that the best way to stay in good health starts with getting the right information,hence, it’s dissemination serves as one of the pillars of attaining good health.

Also the Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation is partnering with the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN),  to cater for the health needs of the downtrodden in the country.

The foundation has also donated N5 million for surgeries of 100 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients.

Director-general and CEO of the foundation, Amb. Adamu Babangida Ibrahim, who presented the N5m cheque to the national president of IMAN, Dr Salisu Ismail, said “the donation was made following the approval of its board and within the strategic intervention of the Foundation”.

According to him, the N5 million will be used by IMAN to carry out  surgeries for 100 VVF patients at the cost of N50,000 each, adding that “The medical programme will be flagged off on Saturday at Sabon Wuse General Hospital, Niger State by wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari, saying it will cover 24 states of the country”.

Speaking further, Ibrahim said, “The Foundation is a separate establishment set up nationally by Nigerians, for Nigerians and beyond, to carryout interventions in various forms in education, agriculture, health and humanitarian services among others.”

“We have done direct interventions to IDPs in Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Bauchi and even direct interventions with the displaced who are not in the camp. And recently, we also undertook intervention in the eastern part of the country, in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states,’’ he said.