By Ibrahim Kado
Hajiya Lami Fintiri, Adamawa Governor’s Wife, on Thursday, donated cash,
wrappers and other items to Visicovaginal Fistula patients at the German female section, Specialists Hospital, Yola.
Fintiri made the donation during the ongoing free surgery organised by the UN Population Fund, in collaboration
with Adamawa Government and Fresh Air Pro-life Empowerment Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VVF is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that results
in continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence.
However, the condition can be remedied through surgery, which is often successful.
The governor’s wife, therefore, said the donation is in commemoration of the 2023 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
against women and girls.
NAN reports that the activism is an annual United Nations global observance that runs from Nov. 25, which is the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women, until Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.
The global initiative is aimed at eliminating GBV by raising awareness about the devastating impact of violence on women and children,
and the social fabric of the society.
The campaign has “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’’ as the theme for the 2023 celebration.
Fintiri explained that items donated were to assist the patients, irrespective of where they come from.
She thanked UNFPA, the state’s Ministry of Health and other partners for their contributions to the success of the free VVF surgery.
She called on the husbands of the patients to understand that the situation of their wives would soon be history and to take good care of them.
She also called on other women who are suffering from VVF to visit the hospital and access the free surgery for their good health.
In his remarks, Dr Dauda Wadinga, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, thanked the governor’s wife for the visit and the donation.
He said 22 patients have so far been operated on, while 78 are waiting, adding that “the surgery is still going; we thank the governor’s
wife for the donation.
“Fresh Air Pro-Life Empowerment Foundation is the governor’s wife organisation, doing things to assist women because of the concern
she has for them.”
Wadinga also called on husbands of the VVF patients to feel free as the condition is curable.
Mrs Deborah Gambo and Apiya Wapanahel, both patients, appreciated the gesture and prayed for the governor’s wife
to succeed in life.
