The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, said the $250,000 funds provided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the treatment of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients were diverted to train medical doctors.
Kennedy-Ohanenye disclosed this during Tuesday’s visit to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
“The $250,000 given to treat Vesico Viginal Fistula (VVF) patients annually by the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS). They diverted it to train doctors instead of treating the patients, but now we have come in. We will ensure that ECOWAS releases the money. When we get the money, we will treat the patients, rehabilitate them, and empower them,” she said.
She claimed that her ministry intended to change the way of doing things as all money meant for women would henceforth go to women directly to empower them.
“No more advocacy, no more consultancy; the advocacy and consultancy done in the past is enough for us,” she said.
VVF is a severe disability that women can experience after childbirth. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), it is defined as a hole that develops between the vagina and the bladder, resulting in uncontrollable leaking of urine through the vagina, odour, and discomfort.
The most common causes of VVF include obstructed labour, early marriage, poverty, and women’s limited control over the use of family resources.
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