The Edo State Government has declared its readiness to partner with the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Benin City, to expand access to comprehensive healthcare, protection and social support for women affected by childbirth-related injuries.
The commitment was made by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, during a strategic engagement with the management of NOFIC, who paid her a courtesy visit in Benin City.
Mrs Abdallah said the proposed collaboration would focus on women living with obstetric fistula and related conditions, with emphasis on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration into society. She noted that the partnership would strengthen inter-sectoral cooperation, expand access to free and affordable medical services, and improve outcomes for vulnerable women across Edo State.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Media in the Ministry, Daisy Osunde, and circulated to journalists in Benin on Wednesday.
According to the commissioner, many women continue to suffer in silence from preventable childbirth injuries such as obstetric fistula and uterine prolapse due to stigma, poverty, poor access to skilled healthcare and lack of accurate information.
While commending the Federal Government for sustaining free obstetric fistula treatment nationwide, Abdallah also praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for supporting the establishment of the fistula centre in Edo State, describing the intervention as a clear demonstration of commitment to women’s wellbeing and family stability.
She described women as the indispensable bedrock of society and stressed that the Okpebholo administration remains firmly committed to safeguarding their health, welfare and dignity, given their central role in sustaining families and communities.
The commissioner further highlighted the passion of the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, for women and other vulnerable groups, assuring that collaboration with relevant stakeholders would be strengthened to deliver targeted and sustainable support.
Abdallah said the Ministry prioritises direct grassroots engagement to identify and address the often hidden challenges confronting women, stressing the need for community mobilisation, advocacy and awareness creation to ensure early identification and prompt referral of women living with obstetric fistula for treatment.
She added that the Ministry adopts communication strategies in local languages and culturally appropriate formats to enhance acceptance at the grassroots, noting that ongoing and planned community outreach programmes—including campaigns against female genital mutilation—would be leveraged to integrate education on maternal health, fistula prevention and available treatment services.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support post-treatment rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives, including empowerment and livelihood programmes aimed at restoring dignity, confidence and economic independence to affected women.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of NOFIC, Prof. Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye, gave an overview of obstetric fistula, explaining that the condition is largely caused by prolonged and obstructed labour, often linked to limited access to timely and quality maternal healthcare.
He noted that while obstetric fistula is commonly associated with poverty and weak health systems, it can affect women across all social and economic backgrounds.
Prof. Sunday-Adeoye outlined the Centre’s mandate to include the provision of free, high-quality fistula repair surgeries, preventive interventions to reduce new cases, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors, as well as research aimed at improving clinical outcomes and informing health policy.
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