From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has expressed his government’s commitment to partner with organisations to assist in providing corrective surgeries and rehabilitation to Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in the state.
The governor made the commitment on Tuesday at the flag-off of the corrective surgeries for 50 women with urinary incontinence sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Plc at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos, Plateau State.
Mutfwang regretted that most of the VVF sufferers were often abandoned to their fate.
The governor said that it was because of the importance his government attached to the care and welfare of VVF patients that his government welcomed the initiative by First Bank Nigeria Limited.
He expressed confidence that the program will not only offer free surgeries but also raise awareness and empower the victims to achieve economic self-reliance.
He said, “Our administration remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting this laudable initiative. We will continue to champion awareness campaigns to prevent the scourge of VVF from ravaging our women and young girls. We have already taken deliberate measures to improve our primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services as part of our broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage.”.
“The impact of VVF extends beyond the physical health of the victim; it inflicts emotional, psychological, and social stress, leading to severe trauma and isolation.”
“Globally, over 2 million women live with VVF, with Nigeria accounting for a significant number of these cases. Here in Plateau State, we have recorded over twelve thousand (12,000) cases in the last twenty years across Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital, and Plateau Specialist Teaching Hospital. Regrettably, many more cases remain unreported.”
The further charged the victims and survivors of VVF to remain firm, resolute, and determined in overcoming their challenges, adding that VVF is not a death sentence but treatable.
Group Executive Retail Banking Note of First Bank, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, said the program was organised as part of the activities marking CSR week of the bank.
He said that apart from the 50 corrective surgeries, the financial institution will also empower 300 others who have fully recovered from the illness.