FG, Edo State Govt Sign MoU To Establish National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC)

Minister of State, Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako and the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo 

"Obstetric Fistula is being addressed and tackled headlong by the Ministry through the Free Fistula Management Programme (FFMP) launched in June 2024." Salako 

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and, the Edo State Government on Tuesday 12 February 2025 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a National Obstetric Fistula Centre NOFIC in Benin, the Edo State capital.

The signing ceremony was between the Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebolo.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the Edo State, Monday Okpebolo for providing and renovating a temporary take-off point for the centre.

In addition to the commendable gesture, was the provision of 22 hectares of land by the Edo State Governor as a permanent site of the NOFIC, to serve the South-South geo-political zone of the country.

Salako signing the document 

The Minister hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the establishment saying, it was a signpost of his unwavering commitment for actualizing universal health coverage for Nigerians and the vulnerable.

"Obstetric Fistula", according to Dr. Salako "is being addressed and tackled headlong by the Ministry through the Free Fistula Management Programme (FFMP) launched in June 2024."

"In  addition to the FFMP, the Ministry will intensify efforts to prevent Nigerian women from developing obstetric fistula through the promotion of Safe Motherhood Initiatives which involves positive pregnancy, delivery and, postpartum experiences.

Okpebholo, Salako display the signed document 

The Minister described obstetric fistula as a  preventable medical scourge with dire consequences for the victim, family, society and the nation. 

"Regrettably, Nigeria contributes the largest number to the global burden of the challenge, with an estimated 150,000 existing cases and 12,000 new cases occuring annually".

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Abuja.