Kaduna State First Lady Hafsat Uba Sani on Thursday provided N2.5 million in support to 50 patients receiving treatment for vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital in Zaria.
Each patient received N50,000 and was enrolled in the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Scheme for one year.
The intervention aims to ease the patients’ financial burden, improve access to healthcare and support their rehabilitation.
During the visit, the first lady said the initiative was prompted by the need to support vulnerable patients and improve their living conditions. She said the government wanted to hear about their experiences and help ease their challenges.
Hafsat expressed concern over the patients’ experiences, described their testimonies as deeply moving and prayed for their recovery.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Health Ummu Ahmad said the intervention complemented the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and support vulnerable groups.
She said the financial assistance would help the patients buy essential household items, including detergents, while their health insurance enrolment would provide access to medical services for one year.
Ahmad added that the first lady counselled the patients and encouraged them to remain hopeful during treatment and rehabilitation.
The commissioner said early marriage, teenage pregnancy and limited access to professional maternal healthcare could contribute to VVF. She urged women to attend antenatal clinics regularly and give birth at recognised health facilities under the care of qualified professionals.
She said the Uba Sani administration had prioritised maternal and child healthcare by recruiting trained midwives, community health workers and other medical personnel.
Ahmad added that the government was upgrading health facilities, providing modern equipment and improving health workers’ remuneration. Community health workers had also been deployed to encourage antenatal attendance and facility-based deliveries.
She said the initiatives aimed to reduce maternal and child mortality, noting improvements in antenatal attendance and hospital deliveries.
The commissioner commended the governor’s continued investment in healthcare and said the administration was committed to ensuring residents could access medical care.
