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Tag: USAID

  • USAID trains Osun, Abia officials on social health insurance

    The United States Agency for International Development – Health Finance Governance project has organised a 3-day intensive training for officials of Osun and Abia states on best way to operate their health insurance schemes in the two states.

    The training, which is currently taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State has the top officials and key staff of Osun Health Insurance Scheme (O’HIS) and Abia State Social Health insurance Agency in attendance.

    The Chief of Party of USAID – HFG project, Dr Gafar Alawode, in his presentations spoke extensively on “health financing within the overall health system” and “understanding the concept of universal health coverage”.

    He expressed worry that Nigeria has not attained the expected level in spite of its status as the giant of Africa. He said health insurance scheme is a necessary mechanism to achieve the universal health coverage.

    He also noted that if the citizens pay tax appropriately and government utilizes the money judiciously, more funds would go to the health sector and the healthcare delivery will improve.

    Alawode charged the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (O’HIS) and Abia State Social Health insurance Agency (Abia SHIA) to ensure that the schemes cover majority of the people, particularly the rural dwellers and the downtrodden.

     

    The USAID-HFG Health Finance Advisor, Dr Ngozi

  • Countering violent extremism

    Ninety youths from the Northeast have participated in entrepreneurship and social innovation fellowships sponsored by Creative Associates International and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was aimed at discouraging violent extremism and promoting economic freedom in the region, reports OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI.

    Life is gradually returning to the Northeast – the epicentre of Boko Haram’s bloody campaign and violent extremism – years after the region was ruined by sustained terrorist attacks, which rendered millions internally displaced.

    While the Federal Government armed forces have continued to pound and degrade the might of the terror group to fully restore peace, various initiatives have been created to wage a battle against violent extremism in the region.

    North-East Intellectual Entrepreneurship Fellowship (NEIEF) and North-East Social Innovation Fellowship (NESIF) are parts of the initiatives organised under the banner of North-East Regional Initiative (NERI) – a capacity building project sponsored by the Washington DC-based Creative Associates International and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – to fight violent extremism and promote economic freedom in the region.

    For two weeks, all the 90 participants selected for the two fellowships were gathered at the Barcelona Hotels in Abuja for residential training, which focused on the theme: Religious freedom and principle of free markets.

    The training was facilitated by African Students For Liberty (ASFL), which brought various professionals and pro-liberty experts to drive conversations around the theme of the training.

    Some of the facilitators included frontline entrepreneur and democracy activist, Japheth Omojuwa, founder of African Christians for Liberty, Bishop Emeka Ezeugo, a lawyer, Uduak-Abasi Akpabio, SFL’s African Programmes Manager, Ms Linda Kavuka, and Wale Ajetunmobi, a reporter with The Nation.

    The NEIEF training, which came first, took young professionals from diverse backgrounds in the Northeast through entrepreneurship, ideals of liberal democracy, free markets, tolerance, separation of religion and governance.

    The participants used social media to communicate their thoughts and ideas around the theme with the hashtag #NotAnotherNigerian. They were also engaged in mentoring sessions.

    The NESIF training featured a cluster of activities, which had the facilitators driving conversations around thematic areas, which aims at tackling toxic philosophies that fuel extremism and insurgency. The participants were also exposed to the techniques of social innovation.

    The facilitators focused on sub-themes, which included Free markets and African societies, Liberty, religion and politics, Islam and free markets, Tolerance.

    In her session, Ms Kavuka gave reasons why Africa still battles poverty. The fellows shared their thoughts on how the continent could harness human and material resources to achieve prosperity.

    Establishing a nexus between Islam and principle of free market, Ajetunmobi posited that there was nothing which fundamentally encouraged Muslims to engage in free trade other than the examples of Prophet Muhammad, who was a successful merchant before his prophethood.

    Ajetunmobi said all forms of markets in human history were based on free exchange of values between individuals, noting that the materials being exchanged must be deemed to have equivalent values at the time of the exchange.

    He said: “In Islam, which has its roots from Quran (words of Allah) and Hadiths (tradition of Prophet Muhammad), Muslims are not prohibited to engage in free trade. Earning Halal (lawful) income from one’s effort is one of the underlying tenets of Islam. The only prohibition prescribed on the Muslims is to engage in the trading of Haram (forbidden) goods as prescribed by Shari’ah (Islamic laws).”

    Omojuwa drew conversations around market-place, economics and societal change, with the understanding of free exchange. He said there had been no perfect economic system in human history, but added that free market capitalism remained the most realistic idea that could bring a society to prosperity and growth faster.

    Uduak’s session focused on Tolerance and peaceful co-existence, bringing up dialogue on how tolerant could entrench peace and create a balanced social order.

    She said: “When people of different beliefs and languages co-exist, there is high possibility for improved social order, political interaction and robust approach issues of governance. This leads to positive growth and mutual prosperity.”

    The events featured debates in which the participants engaged one another on common issues. There were also group activities after which the participants presented their recommendations.

    The trainings ended with the participants being certified as fellows. They also got free books on the theme from Voices from Africa and Network for a Free Society.

  • 2019: IRI urges participation of marginalized women in political processes

    Ahead of the 2019 general polls, the International Republican Institute funded by USAID‎ has called on the marginalized groups of women, youths and the physically challenged to effectively organise, mobilise and sensitize themselves for elective  rather than appointive positions on respective political platforms.

    It decried that the groups were under represented in political parties in abysmal proportion while urging for increased spaces for them to actualise their ambitions.

    The Institute, however noted that, democracy ‎could only thrive effectively with responsive demands by the marginalized.

    Accordingly, it said observations and reports had indicated that the affected groups were constantly interested in appointive not elective positions.

    “Democracy is a game of number and is evident that women and youth as well the physically challenged constitute about 80% of eligible members  and voters  across all party platforms”, it pointed out.

    The call was made Monday by an Official and anchor person of the Institute, Mr Sunday Alao at a One -day sensitization  seminar on participation of the marginalized in political party processes.

    “We have to deliberately influence a process that will enable the marginalized emerge in elective positions across all political platforms.

    “Your participation will brighten the chances of emergence for any elective post”, he maintained.

    The seminar with agenda “Sokoto Party Engagement with Marginalized Groups” is coming few days to the nation-wide ward congresses of the ruling  All Progressives Congress‎ (APC).

    According to him” the marginalized cannot realise their dreams and aspirations unless they key into party activities and processes with resilience, will continue to be a mirage”, he said.

    The IRI official while making presentation on how to improve participation of the marginalized groups,  expressed concern that the affected groups were not adequately represented in parties  ‎political process.

    “I could recall that in 1999 and subsequent dispensation, despite the numerical strength of women and  youths ‎including the physically challenged who had returned the highest number of votes, their number were insignificant in terms of elective and appointive positions.”

    He said it was time for them to face reality and use their platforms effectively and efficiently to realise their ambitions” the era for usng sympathy to get elective positions are over and no longer works”, he advised.

    Alao also added” political leadership is about intrigues, power and manoeuvres. The marginalized have to understand the track, competitiveness and ability to penetrate. The earlier, the better you join the party of your choice with persistent interest and emotional commitment for elective aspirations. Status is no longer a valid factor to attract sympathy for winning elections. You must strive ‎and rise as no party constitution deprives you from aspiring”, he advised.

    ‎The USAID funded Institute however, promised to ensure continued advocacy as  well deepen the process of participation through the involvement of CSOs for political parties policies to capture all marginalized priorities for their aspirations.

    In her goodwill message, INEC Desk Officer on Gendre, Aisha Abdullahi acknowledged the efforts and initiatives of IRI in reawakening the marginalized to their responsibilities said ‎the commission was doing everything possible through its gendre policies to bring the marginalized on board as active participants in political processes.

    “We have policies on the youths ,  physically challenged as well encourage women against all barriers with active participation of CSOs and International organizations in order to maximise IRI initiatives and guarantee even flow and participation of the marginalized groups including IDPs”, She pointed out.

    Earlier, the Resident Programme Director of the Institute, Sentell Barnes who disclosed that soon, the Institute would have a functional office with basic adjourning facilities in Sokoto‎ said it would fast track and enhance full scale engagement of relevant politically oriented platforms for adequate participation and representation of the marginalised.

    “We will encourage all inclusive participation of coalition of women, youths and physically challenged as well individuals.

    “We are here to create window of opportunities that will strengthen democracy and even participation in the process. Parties cannot stand without the involvement of basic stakeholders to engendre a bond for responsive democratic foundation for particpation.

    “Our doors are open for a beneficial relations that will enhance the drive through meetings with political parties and institutions as well  effective advocacy”, he assured.

    Also, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Kulu Abdullahi represented by  ‎Director Planning, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed said the ministry was had been comprehensively  active in women and children socio- economic and political developmental activities.

    According to Abdullahi” we are into responsive advocacy, sensitization and elightenment activities especially on gendre.

    “We have a policy that coordinates all women activities on politics, empowerment among other developmental aspects. We have established women development centres across the 23 LGs”, She explained.

    According to Abdullahi ” women population is something to reckon with which should not be jettisoned Abd we are encouraging them to take advantage of that to participate and aspire to elective positins at all levels”, he stated.

    However, the APC woman leader, Hajiya Fatima ‘Yar Kangiwa said the party had arranged for free forms for all female candidates in the state wishing to contest elective positions.

    However, her PDP counterpart, Rabi Giyawa who commended IRI for the timely and encouraging initiative‎ said they were intensifying efforts and sensitization to their female members especially those in ignorance of the entire processes to see the urgent need to participate.

    The seminar drew participation of various socio-political groups, CSOs, NGOs among others.

  • UNICEF tasks Bauchi on child mortality rate

    The United Nations International Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) has tasked Bauchi state government to focus more on evidence-based programme and primary healthcare delivery so as to combat the lingering problem of under-five child mortality rate in the state.

    Speaking during a one-day technical consultative meeting on ending preventable deaths of children in Bauchi state held at Grand Central Hotel in Kano yesterday, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Health, Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, called on health partners and nongovernmental organizations to work with Bauchi state government in its drive to reduce child mortality rate.

    According to her, “we should all come together and be partners with all the people working in Bauchi to really study the data so that we know what can be done and accelerate progress. 

    “One of the things that we have agreed together that Bauchi should do is to really focus on the evidence-based programme. Look at the information and use it to design their programme, get all the resources where they have to get them and make it work.

    “The other thing is to see how we can strengthen the primary healthcare platform and community platform to really reach all the vulnerable children within the localities in the state.”

    She further stated that, “UNICEF is working in partnership with the Bauchi state government; we are also working with the Nigerian government and below the state level—at Local Government Areas, wards and communities to really look at the status of children.

    “We really want to find out why children are dying and what the cause of the deaths is. We also really want to know the status of the overall health of children in Nigeria, including Bauchi state.”

    She said Bauchi has been making significant progress over the past few years, adding that, “we can see the details of improvements on the increased immunization coverage. There is still a lot more to be done.

    This meeting is meant for UNICEF and the state government to come together and to really look at information—analyze them, plan and implement for the survival of children; we try to strive and transform in order to know what need to be done. We also need to fast-track  the programme so as to save the lives of our children.”

    Bhardwaj noted that Nigeria has made some progress by reducing U5 Mortality rate from 201 in 2008 to 128 in 2013 ( NDHS ), “but there is wide disparity in performance among and within states in U5 mortality reduction.

    “Limited progress has been recorded in newborn deaths in the last decade. Bauchi State has made similar progress bringing under 5 mortality rates from 236/1000live birth in 2011 to 161/1000 live births in 2016; just as it made Under-one mortality from 140 in 2011 to 81 in 2016.

    She admitted that, “however, lots of children are still dying from preventable causes necessitating more investments and improved programming that will significantly reduce child deaths.”

    In her remarks, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zuwaira Hassan said that the state government is to set up an emergency committee to monitor progress recorded in the fight against child mortality which would be reviewed periodically to ascertain the actual records in every three months.

    According to her, “actually, the state government has already done a lot to reduce under-5 child mortality rate. If you look at the indices, they were worse than this. When you compare 2011 indices with 2016 indices, you will see that a lot has already been achieved.

    “It is just that we are not yet where we want to be. We are being moved and we need to do more. You know that the executive Governor of Bauchi state already has a five-point agenda. The first in the agenda is strengthening Primary Healthcare Delivery; routine immunization, as well as maternal, newborn and child health; and a lot has been done in these areas.

    “The Bauchi state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate, USAID; and the Governor has been fulfilling Bauchi state government counterpart funding. In fact, the state has already redeemed the 2018 counterpart funding which has tremendously helped to boost the immunization programme.”

  • NGO supports 1,847 orphans and children in Kaduna

    NGO supports 1,847 orphans and children in Kaduna

    Women and Youth Awareness Empowerment Network ( WOYAEN ), an NGO, said it improved living standard of 1,847 orphans and vulnerable children in Kaduna State in 2017 with funding by USAID.
    Dr Rakiya Shonekan, WOYAEN Executive Director, told the News men on Monday that the beneficiaries received basic health services, nutrition, shelter, care, education and psycho-social support.
    She said that the exercise was carried out by 700 caregivers in 680 households in nine communities in the state.
    The communities included Kakau, Nasarawa, Goningora, Trikania, Unguwan, Sule, Unguwan, Lusawa and Kudenden in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
    “On health issues, we provided the beneficiaries with deworming tablets, vitamin A, zinc, supplement, HIV testing and counselling, care and support and referrals, among others.
    “For shelter and care, we reintegrated the orphans into families, provided clothing support and foster parenting, among others.
    “We equally encouraged school enrolment and retention, particularly the girl-child and carried out awareness campaign on gender equality to fight against discrimination,’’ Shonekan said.

    Read Also: NGO donates to refugees in Cross River

    On nutrition, she said that the NGO had improved the capacity of vulnerable households to produce a variety of nutritious foods.
    She added that the NGO also cultivated soya beans, groundnuts and potatoes to support the most vulnerable households in some selected communities.
    “We equally carried out sensitisation to caregivers on the importance of adequate infant and young child feeding,” she said.
    The director said that the economic status of the caregivers were also upgraded to enable them provide the needed basic needs to beneficiaries for un-interrupted development to adulthood.
    She said the caregivers had also been equipped with vocational skills for income generation, livelihood opportunities and financial literacy, focusing on micro enterprise fundamental skills.
    She identified the skills areas to include power of negotiation, record keeping and value addition with a view to helping their businesses.
    “We also carried out series of advocacy visits to mobilise relevant stakeholders to support ongoing effort toward improving the livelihood of women, youth and orphans and vulnerable children in communists.
    “We would also encourage recreational activities, life skills support and train caregivers on positive parenting, provide legal services and create gender awareness in child protection and social support, ’’ Shonekan said.

    NAN

  • World Bank supports primary school in Kaduna with facilities

    World Bank supports primary school in Kaduna with facilities

    The World Bank has supported the most populated primary school in Kaduna, LEA Rigasa,  with educational facilities worth more than N30 million.

    The school, which has a population of 22,240 pupils, would benefit from  facilities which  include  500 chairs and  50 mats.

    Malam Dahuru Anchau, the Director of Schools, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, disclosed this in an interview with  News men on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    He said that the items would assist in improving the teaching and learning of the students.

    Anchau, who is also the Project Coordinator, Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in the state, said that the remaining chunk would be used to purchase books and other writing materials for the school.

    He recalled that the bank had in October  2017 ordered the immediate release of the amount during the bank’s midterm review of the N6 billion granted to the state under the bank’s GPE project.

    According to him, the bank’s representative, Dr Olatunde Adekola,  was moved to take action after he saw the pressure the over populated pupils had put on teaching and learning facilities in the school.

    “Adekola immediately announced the intervention for immediate upgrade of facilities at the school.

    Read Also: World Bank: Fed Govt showing more interest in social investment

    “Yesterday,  we supplied the school with over 500 chairs, 50 mats, bookshelves and other items for children’s playground with the first chunk of the money.

    “The remaining amount would be used to supply the school with books and other reading and writing materials as directed by the bank,’’ he said.

    Reports also have it that the bank is spending N20 billion under GPE to support girl-child education in the five states of   Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Sokoto where all indexes on education appeared to be very low.

    The partnership is being  supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Department for International Development (DFID).

    The target is to increase reading and writing skills for pupils in nursery and those in primary one to three, and strengthen community activism and local governance.

    It is also aimed at expanding access to education through community initiatives and to increase the number of qualified female teachers in areas with high gender disparities.

    The state coordinator said that  over 3,400 primary schools have so far benefited from the programme.

    According to him, a total of 8,050 primary school girls from poor homes had received N45,000 scholarship grants to continue with their education, with 1,170 female teachers also getting similar amount to further their studies.

    NAN

  • Liberia’s NEC presents certificate of return to Weah

    Liberia’s NEC presents certificate of return to Weah

    Liberia ’s National Elections Commission ( NEC ) has presented certificate of return to the President-elect, George Weah; Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor, and the newly elected members of the House of Representatives.

    Chairman of NEC, Mr Jerome Korkoya, performed the ceremony at the commission’s headquarters in Monrovia on Thursday evening.

    According to local media, 66 out of the 73 elected lawmakers were certificated, leaving out seven who are facing legal challenges over their election in the October 10 general polls.

    The new leaders will be sworn in on January 22, which is the third working Monday of January as stipulated in the Liberian Constitution.

    Speaking at the occasion, the NEC boss reminded the newly elected public officers of the huge responsibility that comes with the mantle of leadership entrusted to them.

    “The certificate we are presenting to you represents conferral of legitimacy to pronounce you to the world as the duly elected officials.

    “”It is also an embodiment of the power, trust and aspiration reposed in you by your various constituents and the people of Liberia as a whole.

    “Expectations are high to change the people’s living conditions through the laws, policies and programmes of the incoming government.

    He acknowledged the contributions of international partners including ECOWAS, AU, USAID, EU and UNDP, which led to the successful conduct of the elections.

    Korkoya expressed appreciation to all contestants in the elections for respecting the rule of law by exploring judicial means to seek redress after the elections.

    The president-elect, George Weah, described his election as a unifying factor in the country.

    Weah pledged to fulfil his campaign promised of improving the lives of Liberians, calling on members of the legislature to put aside politics and work in the interest of the country.

    “I went to Boakai (outgoing Vice President) not to make news but because campaign is over and it is time to do the Liberian people’s work.

    “Our quest is for all Liberians to work together to move our country forward; in the interest of the people let’s work,” he said.

    The president-elect reiterated his assurance of greater freedoms, saying he would not interfere with the tenants of democracy, especially political dissent.

    “I am your friend but my interest is the Liberian people.

    “Any attempt to promote clampdown on the political rights of fewer Liberians has the propensity of disuniting the country,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the elected lawmakers, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hans Barchue, promised to work with the CDC-led government.

    Also Read: ‘Change is on,’ says George Weah

    In separate remarks, members of the international community present at the occasion restated their commitment to support the incoming administration.

    The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Farid Zarif, lauded Liberians for their peaceful participation in the electoral process.

    Zarif called on the new administration to build on the gains made under the leadership of outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

    He urged the new government to properly manage the country’s abundant natural resources to improve the lives of Liberians.

    “Let me quote you Mr. President-elect that it doesn’t make sense that Liberia is so rich, yet its people are so poor.

    “That is the beginning of another vision. Let’s bring the two things together,” he said.

    NAN

  • HIV prevalence drops by 8% in Akwa Ibom

    HIV prevalence drops by 8% in Akwa Ibom

    A recent survey on Human Immuno-deficiency Virus ( HIV ) conducted in Akwa Ibom State has revealed a significant drop in the virus prevalence rate in the state.

    The survey which was carried out across the 31 local government areas in the state between April and June this year showed a drastic fall from 10.8 per cent to 2.8 per cent.

    The study, which was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was a collaborative effort between the state government and USAID flagship HIV/AIDS and TB project – Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV/AIDS Services (SIDHAS), and is implemented by FHI 360.

    A total of 4,313 households were sampled while 7,791 children and 9,145 adults were tested for HIV.

    The study found that the HIV prevalence among children 0 to 14 years was 0.4 percent while the prevalence among persons 15 years and older was 4.8 percent.

    The study further revealed a 0.41 percent annual incidence of HIV among adults ages 15 years and older. The number of new infections was said to be closely similar in females as in males (0.41% among females and 0.42% among males).

    However, the HIV incidence in ages 15- 19 was higher than the rest of the age groups; translating to nearly half of the new HIV infections occurring in the adult population.

     

  • USAID seeks media partnership to promote health insurance

    USAID seeks media partnership to promote health insurance

    United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday advocated media partnership in promoting health insurance schemes.

    It made the appeal at a one-day media review meeting organised by its Health Finance and Governance Project (USAID-HFG) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The USAID-HFG Advisor, Dr. Atamunotoru Anikara, said the Rivers Contributory Health Protection Programme (RVCHPP) bill would provide the framework for the state’s health insurance programme.

    He said RVCHPP draft bill was before Governor Nyesom Wike.

    The state Coordinator of USAID Programme, Mrs. Chinelo Odiakosa-Mmakwe, said the mass media had a role to play in ensuring that the citizenry keyed into health insurance schemes.

    She said health insurance was crucial because government’s funding for health care delivery had reduced in the last five years.

    “Although there are still donors, we don’t expect them to be there all the time.

    “We have to devise means of making health care delivery affordable and accessible,’’ Odiakosa-Mmakwe said.

    Dr. Vetty Agala, of Health Care Financing, Ministry of Health, said keying into health insurance schemes would make health care cheaper and easier to access.

    She said the media should change the perception of the public about health insurance schemes.

    “We need the media to work as a dependable ally in this venture. Our people need to be given a clear picture of what it entails,” Agala said.

  • Tender care for VVF patients in Kaduna

    Tender care for VVF patients in Kaduna

    Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a childbirth disorder, hurts physically and emotionally but Kaduna State has found sustainable ways to soothe the pain. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports

    The experts say Vesico Vaginal Fistula or VVF afflicts over 12,000 women every year in Nigeria, leaving them unable to control urine. The condition is defined as a hole that develops between the vagina and the bladder, resulting in uncontrollable urine leakage. The causes: mostly obstructed labour, early marriage and poverty.

    Most of those 12,000 new cases are in northern Nigeria, according to USAID.

    The Project Manager, USAID Fistula Care Plus Project, Dr. Habibu Sadauki said at an event in Zaria that over 5,000 cases have been repaired.

    The USAID Project Manager disclosed that in Kano State alone, 10 to 15 new cases are recorded every week in various hospitals in the state, as he maintained that fistula can be repaired and prevented if parents educate their female children to patronise hospitals for proper delivery.

    VVF patients are often rejected by their husbands and avoided by the rest of the society. The patients themselves withdraw from the world that does not want them.

    That is where the Kaduna State government is making a difference. VVF patients at Hajia Gambo Sawaba General Hospital Zaria, the state’s VVF centre, are getting double treatment. After the surgery to stop urine leakage, the state government in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) trains and empowers them with vocational skills and gives them starter packs to enable them easily deal with the post-VVF stigma.

    The 100 rehabilitated women were recently provided with tools and machines to start off businesses to become self-reliant after undergoing series of training during their stay in the hospital.

    Wife of the state governor, Hajia A’isha el-Rufai, while speaking at the graduation ceremony of rehabilitated and empowered patients held at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital described the continued recurrence of obstetric fistula as “a human rights tragedy”, reflecting the marginalisation of those affected.

    “Their isolation means they often go unnoticed by policymakers, and as a result, little action is taken to address or prevent their condition,” she said.

    The governor’s wife said that the patients would be reintegrated into their families and the society through their newly acquired skills and tools for economic empowerment. “The gesture is a testimony to the consistent commitment of the state government toward ensuring improved health outcomes for its citizenry.”

    “Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during child birth. It is a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely access to emergency obstetric care, notably a cesarean section. It leaves women leaking urine, faeces or both and over time, it leads to chronic medical problems,” she said.

    Kaduna State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Manya Dogo said, “VVF a serious condition that sadly crippled the future of young prospective women in Nigeria, with Northern States bearing the greatest burden.

    According to him, “many girls between the ages 11 years and 15 years, who become mothers mostly because they were married-out early suffer some forms of deprivation. Such girls denied access to emergency obstetric care, are often victims of VVF.”

    “Estimates in Nigeria reveal that between 400, 000 and 800,000 women are currently living with the scourge of VVF with about 20,000 new cases being recorded annually,”

    The Commissioner stressed the need for community and village leaders, clerics, health workers and the media to create more awareness on the causes and how to prevent VVF.