Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, has given the Goronyo General Hospital in the Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State a completely furnished Vesico Vaginal Fistula patients’ unit.
The hospital ward was built as part of the nation’s army-civil relations initiative, which was overseen by the Chief of Army Staff.
The National President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, Hajia Salamatu Yahaya, officially opened the ward at the general hospital and stated that the project was created to aid VVF patients, the government, as well as donors’ efforts to improve VVF treatment and services.
She expressed optimism that the ward will help to ensure efficient patient care, staff services, and treatment, noting that Goronyo Hospital was chosen due to the significant number of VVF patients from Nigeria and surrounding nations.
“COAS had approved the construction of the VVF ward in the last eight months and completed it on Jan. 30, this year. It was equipped with all the necessary facilities for VVF treatment and a hospital ward,” Yahaya said.
According to her, the association was concerned with the plights of women suffering from VVF, and in recognition of the distinct efforts of Sokoto treatment centre, NAOWA deemed it fit to give them support in the same manner given in other places.
She urged fistula patients to come forward to access the services.
Yahaya noted that VVF was curable and experts were available to treat at all times as well as ensure that support was given to VVF victims in the country.
The newly built fistula ward, according to Mrs. Florence Makut, wife of the general officer commanding and state chairperson of NAOWA, will help restore women’s dignity in society.
She praised the association’s National President, Salamatu Yahaya, for his leadership in tackling the issues facing women, and she urged the hospital administration to ensure effective use of the space.
At Giginya Barracks in Sokoto, the NAOWA President also kicked off the distribution of working tools to 78 trained women as part of the NAOWA empowerment support programme.
The beneficiaries received their training at the Eagle Net Vocational Training Centre in Sokoto, Nigeria Army’s 8 Division.
Yahaya said the centre was commissioned in October 2019, with students specialising on tailoring, knitting, soap making, and saloon services.
She explained that the effort was to make soldiers’ wives and others more productive by engaging in viable business ventures, reiterating NAOWA’s commitment to expanding the services and supports.
“78 trained women will get starter packs and N5,000 each to commence business.
“I urge beneficiaries to make good use of business instruments to support your respective families,” Yahaya said.
