Minna: A Minna-based NGO, the Raised Foundation, has announced plans to conduct a medical outreach offering free Fistula Repair Surgery on January 27.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the outreach will take place at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre in Kontagora, Niger.
The Communication Officer of the Foundation, Ruth Mamman-Jiya, shared in an interview with NAN that the primary goal of the outreach is to provide free obstetric fistula repair for women. “We intend to carry out 200 surgeries within one year, starting from July 2024 to June 2025. So far, we have completed 121 surgeries, and this outreach is a continuation of that effort,” she stated.
Mamman-Jiya explained that patients are expected to begin arriving at the centre on January 27. She also mentioned that the foundation has mobilised patients through community mobilisers, health centres, and radio awareness campaigns.
The foundation has a strong working relationship with most health centres within the state, facilitating patient referrals to its centre. Since its inception in 2017, the foundation has performed over 800 surgeries. Initially, the foundation conducted its outreaches in general hospitals across the state until the Dr Amina Women Health Centre was completed in 2020.
“Since 2020, all surgeries have been carried out at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora,” Mamman-Jiya added. The centre offers a free comprehensive package that includes surgery, feeding, and accommodation.
Beyond medical treatment, the foundation empowers patients with skills and start-up packs to help reintegrate them into society. The communication officer noted that the centre’s vision is to create a Nigeria where no woman dies from pregnancy-related causes, and obstetric fistula is eradicated.
Mamman-Jiya highlighted the foundation’s commitment to reducing the number of women living with fistula and emphasized that no woman should endure the pains and troubles associated with obstetric fistula during childbirth.
The centre is equipped to function as a full-fledged hospital, complete with wards, hostels, and offices. It also runs an empowerment programme that trains women in various skills and provides them with start-up packs. “We keep them for eight weeks, and during this time, we empower them with skills and knowledge to start a new life,” Mamman-Jiya explained.
The foundation’s efforts are dedicated to restoring dignity and hope to women living with fistula.