Photo Caption: The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah (Middle); The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien (3rd Right); The Chief Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Benin City, Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye (3rd Left), with members of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre during an engagement with the Commissioner in Benin City. Photo Credit: Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
Edo State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC) on advancing comprehensive healthcare, protection, and social support for women.
The collaboration it was said will be particularly for those affected by obstetric fistula and other childbirth-related conditions in the State.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, made the commitment during a strategic engagement with the Management of the Centre, which visited her office in Benin City.
The collaboration is aimed at strengthening inter-sectoral partnerships, expanding access to free and affordable medical services, and improving prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration outcomes for vulnerable women across the State, she was quoted to have said.
Director of media in the Ministry, Daisy Osunde made this known in a press release circulated amongst journalists in Benin on Wednesday.
Mrs. Abdallah observed that many women continued to live in silence with preventable childbirth injuries such as obstetric fistula and uterine prolapse due to stigma, poverty, limited access to skilled healthcare, and inadequate information.
While commending the Federal Government for sustaining free obstetric fistula treatment, the Commissioner appreciated the State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo for supporting the establishment of the Fistula Centre in the State, Daisy stated.
As She described the interventions as clear demonstration of commitment to women’s wellbeing and family stability.
Describing women as the indispensable bedrock of society, the Commissioner emphasized that the administration of Sen. Okpebholo remains committed to safeguarding their welfare, health, and dignity, given their critical roles in sustaining families, communities, and the wider society.
Abdallah was said to have highlighted the passion of the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani for women and other vulnerable groups, assuring that collaborative efforts would be strengthened to deliver targeted and sustainable supports.
The Ministry prioritises direct grassroots engagement aimed at identifying and addressing the real and often hidden challenges confronting women, She asserts.
This is as she stressed the importance of community mobilisation, advocacy, and awareness creation to ensure early identification and prompt referral of women living with obstetric fistula for treatment.
Continuing, she was said to have underscored the Ministry’s approach of communicating in local languages and culturally appropriate formats to enhance grassroots acceptance.
The Commissioner further informed that ongoing and planned community outreach programmes, including campaigns against female genital mutilation, would be leveraged to integrate education on maternal health, fistula prevention, and available treatment services.
She was said to have reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support post-treatment rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives, including empowerment and livelihood programmes aimed at restoring dignity, confidence, and economic independence to affected women.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Benin City, Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye, provided an overview of obstetric fistula, outlining its causes, impact, and the burden it places on affected women and communities.
According to him, the condition is largely caused by prolonged and obstructed labour, often resulting from limited access to timely and quality maternal healthcare.
Prof. Sunday-Adeoye added that while obstetric fistula is commonly associated with poverty and weak health systems, it can affect women across all social and economic backgrounds.
He highlighted the Centre’s mandate to include the provision of free, high-quality fistula repair surgeries, preventive interventions to reduce new cases, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors, and research aimed at improving clinical outcomes and informing policy decisions.
Photo Caption
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah (Middle); The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien (3rd Right); The Chief Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Benin City, Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye (3rd Left), with members of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre during an engagement with the Commissioner in Benin City.
