NAFOWA To Partner Kaduna State On Treatment Of VVF

NAFOWA To Partner Kaduna State On Treatment Of VVF

The Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) has revealed its readiness to partner with the Kaduna State Government in the management of women suffering from Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the State. This was revealed on Saturday, 16 November 2019, by the NAFOWA Chairperson, Kaduna State Chapter, Doctor (Mrs) Safiya Suleiman, during the flag-off ceremony of a one-day medical outreach organized by the Association at Hayin Banki Community, in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Medical services provided during the outreach include medical consultations, counseling and screening as well as dental care, eye treatment and deworming of children. In addition, free prescription eye glasses and medications were provide while insecticide treated mosquito nets were distributed to members of the Community.

According to Dr Suleiman, the Association would strengthen its partnership with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health in the management VVF patients during recovery and would see to their complete rehabilitation. Furthermore, she noted that VVF is a serious disability that could be caused by obstructed labour, early marriage, poverty as well as women’s limited control over the use of family resources. “Women and girls with this disability are often abandoned by their husbands and isolated from the community due to the smell and associated shame of urine leakage”, she added. She emphasized that NAFOWA would, on its part, do its very best to provide adequate support for victims of the condition.

While highlighting the other initiatives of the Association aimed at empowering women in the Barracks, the NAFOWA Kaduna State Chapter Chairperson stated that the Association was in the process of initiating a programme for dry and wet season farming for members, while also seeking to upgrade the NAFOWA Bakery for improved quality and production capacity in order to further boost the financial status of the Chapter. She expressed appreciation to the NAFOWA National President, Hajiya Hafsat Sadique Abubakar, for having the vision and ability to continue providing service to humanity through innovative value-adding programmes in NAF Bases and host communities across the Country.

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of health, Dr Mahmud Shuaibu, commended NAFOWA for always reaching out to women, children and the aged. He emphasized the willingness of Kaduna State Government to continue to collaborate with the Association to better the lives of the people of the State.

The medical outreach witnessed a large turnout of Community members who expressed their gratitude to the NAF and NOFOWA for the kind gesture. Other dignitaries at the event included the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Suleiman, as well as other senior NAF officers along with leaders of the Hanyin Banki Community.