Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye and the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, on Tuesday in Abuja discussed new strategies to ensure prudent use of funds donated by ECOWAS to Nigeria for the treatment and rehabilitation of women suffering from obstetric fistula.
Mrs Kennedy-Ohanenye said that the funds donated by ECOWAS to Nigeria for the treatment of women suffering from obstetric fistula did not have an appreciable impact on the women as a significant amount is channeled to the training doctors, sensitization programmes and workshops instead of the treatment of the patients.
Reaffirming her commitment to a new approach, she stated that the Ministry of Women Affairs has collaborated with the Nigeria’s Ministry of Health to ensure that the bulk of donor funds and grants to treat fistula are spent on the actual treatment of the patients, while the Ministry of health will handle the training of doctors.
Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye therefore sought the cooperation of the Chairman, ECOWAS Commission to ensure effective utilization of the funds donated to Nigeria for the treatment of obstetric fistula and women empowerment.
Responding, Dr. Touray welcomed an approach which prioritizes the treatment and rehabilitation of patients, noting that this is the manner of collaboration the commission is seeking from member states.
He further stated that the commission is prepared to take on board the suggestions from the minister and would adjust its programs as this would significantly impact the lives of the beneficiaries.
According to the report distributed by the APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on December 7, 2023, ECOWAS through its Gender Development Centre issued a $245,000 grant to Nigeria and seven other member states to treat fistula victims, marking a significant step in addressing health challenges of women in the sub-region.
GIK/APA