Niger gov, Bello, commissions Women Health Centre in Kontagora

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has commissioned a women health centre in Kontagora, as part of efforts to contribute in the development of health sector in the state, particularly for the female folks.

The modern and well equiped edifice was birthed by the wife of Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello through her Raise Foundation, with the support of Mainstream Foundation as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The centre meant to provide health care services to women affected by Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF), a disease that causes uncontrolled passage of urine by women due to prolonged labour without access to professional healthcare service, will also avail patients the opportunity to learn skills before reintegrating them to their communities.

Commissionig the centre, Governor Abubakar  Bello said, the establishment of the centre has reduced the burden on the state government, while calling for more of such support from other private bodies.

He urged pregnant women to always go for antenatal and ensure they go to clinic or hospital for child birth,  pointing out that doing so would help eradicate VVF in the State in no distant future.

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“We pray that soon we will use this centre as a general health facility because we are hoping that with proper sensitization especially of women in rural areas, they will go to either the primary healthcare or hospital to give birth,” he said.

The Governor gave the assurance that he would support the project and other similar projects put in place by private organisations and commended Raise Foundation as well as Mainstream Foundation for providing a state of the arts facility.

Earlier in her remarks, Wife the Governor and founder, Raise Foundation, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, who explained that the project started in 2019 and completed in  November 2020,  was born out of her desire to take care of indigent women affected by VVF.

She said the centre has so far treated 34 patients and presently have 21 patients undergoing treatment.

Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello,  added that a 20-bed patients hostel has been provided to help the patients recuperate as well as provide them with skills that will empower them and prepare them  psychologically, emotionally as well as financially to assist them continue with their lives easily before reintegrating them into the society.

Executive Secretary, Mainstream Foundation, Alhaji  Siraj Abdullahi said some of their CSR were in the areas of education, health, environment among others adding that their interventions are in all the communities they were located.

Former Military Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami, (rtd) Col Sani Bello (rtd), Chairman, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited were the special guests at the event.

Wives of the Northern Governors Forum, represented by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, representative of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Niger State House of Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) were among the groups and institutions that showed their solidarity at the event.

Other dignitaries presence at the occasion were former Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Garba, Attahiru II, and the Emir of Kontagora also  represented by Engr. Shehu Galadima, the Galadiman Kontagora.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE