By Elijah Ugani: Health Correspondent
The reintegration of Vesico Vagina Fistula patients with the society is vital to their physical and mental well-being says Cross River Health Commissioner, Inyang Asibong at the presentation of a treated patient to her family recently at Akpabuyo.
Asibong while presenting the patient (names withheld) to her family said that, “We have come to reintegrate your sister to your family in line with international best practices, here she is sound, healthy and looking younger than she left you, I assure you that the vesico vaginal fistula has been repaired”.
The patient lauded the state government for the care and treatment and called on those suffering similar health challenge to avail themselves the opportunity created by government to benefit from the free VVF treatment sponsored by the state government.
Also, a family member of the reintegrated and youth leader in the community, Efefiom Ededem (not actual name) who was visibly elated at the sight of his sister back home and well, promised to report cases of VVF anywhere in the state to the government.
Earlier at the VVF center in the General Hospital Calabar, Asibong, in the company of her colleague in the Social Welfare Ministry, explained that, “The purpose of rehabilitation is to restore all of the patient’s physical sensory and mental capabilities that were lost during the period of the illness and the stigmatization”.
It will be recalled that CrossRiverWatch had reported recently that Cross River deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu who is reportedly in Europe for the graduation ceremonies of his two daughters, commissioned a VVF center at the general hospital in Calabar sponsored by the government and UNFPA, with a top hospital management official who is also in-charge of the VVF centre, disclosing to CrossRiverWatch that 5 repairs have been made at the center while 2 are on the register.
Meanwhile, in a related development, hospital consumables worth thousands have been donated to the general hospital Calabar by a socio-cultural organization.
The Efik Development Association in America (EDAA), an organization of Cross Riverians of Efik extraction in Cross River State said it was the first time it was extending its hand of benevolence to the state owned and run hospital as the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital has been a long time beneficiary.
“The Efik Association has decided this time around to make this donation to the state for the very first time, it has previously being making this donation to the University of Calabar, but this around has decided to extend the gesture to the state” said the Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital and member of the organization, Dr. Etim Ayi, who also added that, “The association has always embarked on free medical outreaches where we come in with materials and offered free medical surgeries” which he said should be expected next year.
Receiving the materials, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong expressed satisfaction with the association for their proactive response to the call made by the ministry of health on all groups and individuals to rise to the challenge of partnership with the state government to ensure effective health care delivery in the state considering financial shortfall in government.
“I am very glad to receive these items and commend the proactive response of the Efik Nation in America to our plea for partnership with the ministry of health for effective health care delivery in the state in the face of financial crisis in the country” Asibong said.