Nicolas Simard, the acting Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, has pledged to increase support toward improving the healthcare and education sectors.
He made the pledge while delivering Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets and other equipment to the newly created Fistula Repair Centre at General Hospital Goronyo, Sokoto recently.
Simard was satisfied with the level of achievement recorded on fistula repairs, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. He stressed that the success was a source of encouragement.
He said the Canadian Government offered funds through the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to ameliorate womens’ healthcare, especially reproductive health, to supplement government efforts on access to quality healthcare and education and added that “fistula patients from Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria have been operated on at the
Goronyo centre and the women are now stronger; lives are being enhanced daily.”
The Country Representative of UNFPA, Ms Ulla Mueller, also expressed her satisfaction with the level of success recorded at the Fisula centre and other support services provided to women and girls.
She praised the wife of the Sokoto Governor, Hajiya Maria Tambuwal, and the state government health workers for their commitment.
According to Mueller, the rate of fistula cases in Nigeria called for concern, stressing the commitment of UNFPA to tackle the challenge, maternal health issues, Gender Based Violence and other harmful practices.
Sokoto state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, commended the donors for investing toward improving the lives of the people and noted that the support would compliment government’s efforts.
Inname said the Fistula Repair Centre had been upgraded with modern equipment for experts to carry out minor and complex fistula surgeries for patients from all over the country.
He said with the creation of additional Fistula Repair Centre at Goronyo General Hospital, Sokoto State had became the nerve centre for fistula treatment.
According to News Agency of Nigeria’s report, the Canadian High Commissioner and his delegation interacted with the fistula patients and health workers. They also inspected facilities at the centre.
