By Asma’u Ahmad
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 240, 000 varieties of Obstetric Fistula equipment worth N47million to Ebonyi State Government.
USAID Deputy Mission Director in Nigeria, Mrs. Aler Grubbs disclosed this in Abakaliki when she presented the equipment to Governor Dave Umahi.
Health Reporters gathered that the equipment include Examination Couch with Arm-Wrest, Stethoscope, Sphygmano meter, weighing scale, theatre beds and assorted screens, among others.
According to her, fistula is a serious reproductive problem afflicting over 12, 000 women in Nigeria and over 3, 000 in Ebonyi.
She said: “It seriously affects the victims and community they belong to, as it makes them develop uncontrollable leakage of urine and faeces from their reproductive organs. The victims are rejected by their families and communities, as it can only be corrected through obstetrics surgery supported with post-surgery care.”
Mrs. Grubbs said that the donation was part of USAID’s partnership with the Ebonyi state government and the National Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, to assist fistula patients.
She added that apart from health-related interventions, USAID is also involved in other areas of human development, especially in developing countries.
“USAID provides humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people in the North-East zone and massive agricultural development in the south, among others,” Mrs. Grubbs said.
The state governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said USAID has become a household name in Ebonyi due to its numerous developmental interventions, especially in the health sector.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umezurike said USAID offers intervention on fistula in three major areas which include: Fistula Care, Fistula Maps and Fistula Deliver.
He said the state would also benefit from the distribution of hand held-ultra sound devices in a programme to be organised by USAID in Abuja.
