Cross-River Treats and Rehabilitates 57 VVF Patients

Cross River Government says it has performed successful surgeries on 57 patients of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) this year, and rehabilitated them.

Mrs Patricia Endeley, the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

Endeley said that the ministry organised a sensitisation workshop on VVF for the wives of Local Government Chairmen in the 18 council areas of the state in June.

``The aim was to sensitise people about the presence of VVF in our midst and the need for medical intervention, provided by USAID in collaboration with the state government.

``So far, the government, through the ministry, has treated 57 of such women and rehabilitated all of them,” she said.

She said Gov. Liyel Imoke has approved the release of funds for the treatment of another group of 38 identified women living with this condition.

``We have concluded preparations for the surgeries at the VVF Unit, General Hospital, Ogoja, and are waiting for the USAID team to confirm the dates,’’ she said.

According to Endeley, the state government has procured land for the building of a comprehensive rehabilitation centre in Ogoja, for the treated patients.

The commissioner said that the Federal Civil Service Disability Multi-purpose Cooperative Society had pledged to assist in building the rehabilitation centre.

She also said that the ministry was collaborating with MTN to conduct a verification exercise to identify persons with disabilities.

Endeleye said that the aim was to enable them to provide mobility aids and other assistance to the physically challenged by September.

``Nineteen persons have already been assisted. Approximately 700 persons living with disabilities were verified and are to be given mobility aids,” she said.

She expressed hope that more corporate organisations would collaborate with the ministry to provide financial and other assistance to the physically challenged in the state. (NAN)

Source: Naija247news