Victoria Mbangwa
As part of a major initiative to enhance maternal health, the Federal Government has assigned 154 hospitals to offer free emergency obstetric care, including cesarean sections (C-sections), and established 18 centers for treating vesicovaginal fistula (VVF).
The initiative, announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, underscores the government’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality and addressing childbirth-related complications that have long burdened Nigerian women.
According to Pate, financial constraints should no longer be a barrier for women needing life-saving medical interventions. The selected hospitals will be reimbursed for services rendered, ensuring sustainability. This effort aligns with broader health sector reforms and is backed by the Health Insurance Authority to guarantee continued funding.
VVF, a severe childbirth injury caused by prolonged or obstructed labor, affects at least 10,000 women annually in Nigeria. Many women suffering from the condition face social stigma and have been unable to afford surgical repair. To address this, the government has committed to fully funding corrective surgeries at the designated 18 centers.
“For a very long time, many women suffered from that without the opportunity to have those repairs. We took it upon ourselves to ensure whoever has VVF will have a surgical repair, and that will be paid for by the government,” Pate stated.
This initiative marks a significant step in improving maternal healthcare in Nigeria, ensuring that vulnerable women receive critical medical interventions without financial hardship.
