The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated medical equipment to the Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital in Sokoto State to improve care for patients suffering from Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
The items were handed over by the UNFPA State Team Lead, Dr Rabi’atu Sageer, to the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Abubakar-Wurno, during a presentation ceremony held in Sokoto on Tuesday.
Receiving the equipment, Abubakar-Wurno described the donation as a significant boost to the state’s efforts to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services.
Represented by the Director of Nursing Services, Abubakar Shehu, the commissioner said the intervention would help improve the hospital’s ability to provide safe, quality and dignified treatment for women affected by obstetric fistula.
He appreciated UNFPA for its continued support and partnership with the state government, while urging the hospital management to ensure proper use and maintenance of the donated equipment.
“I sincerely appreciate UNFPA for its invaluable partnership and support in advancing healthcare in Sokoto State. I urge the management of the hospital to make effective use of this equipment and ensure proper maintenance for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Sageer said UNFPA’s broader objective was to eliminate obstetric fistula in Sokoto State and Nigeria through prevention efforts, while providing care for women already affected by the condition.
She explained that obstetric fistula remains a preventable health challenge linked to social inequalities, including limited access to education, empowerment and financial resources for many women.
According to her, addressing the condition goes beyond medical treatment, as it also involves tackling social and developmental issues affecting women and girls.
Sageer noted that UNFPA had supported the hospital’s VVF Centre for several years through funding from development partners, including the European Union and the Canadian government.
She encouraged the hospital authorities to maintain the equipment properly to ensure more women benefit from improved services.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Buhari Umar, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with development partners to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Umar said the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu remained focused on aligning external interventions with the state’s development priorities under its nine-point agenda.
He commended UNFPA for supporting the state’s healthcare needs and called for stronger partnerships with other development organisations.
The permanent secretary urged the hospital management to ensure the equipment translates into better healthcare outcomes, stressing that the success of the intervention would be measured by improved services to patients.
He assured stakeholders that the state government would continue supporting programmes aimed at improving healthcare delivery across Sokoto State.
(NAN)