President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the visionary leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo for reviving and promoting healthcare services in Edo State.
President Tinubu said Governor Okpebholo is ensuring that Edo people get the best healthcare services in the State.
He spoke through the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ishaq Salako, who led a delegation to Edo State Government House on Tuesday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
for the take-off of a National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in Benin City. The Centre is expected to treat cases of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
Governor Monday Okpebholo led the Edo State delegation during the signing ceremony.
Dr. Salako noted that in May 2023, just before President Tinubu assumed office, the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre was established in Benin City.
He said the centre did not enjoy the needed cooperation with the then Government of Edo State, led by Godwin Obaseki.
“We struggled from May 2023 till November 2024 before you became the Governor of Edo State, but in about three months, we have achieved what we could not achieve in about 24 months.
“All thanks to your administration. We appreciate you for your support as we have been able to get a temporary centre to start operations in Benin City.
“His Excellency has also given us a 24- hectare of land for the permanent centre. You have demonstrated that you are a political son of the President who is prioritizing healthcare at the federal level, while you are also prioritizing healthcare in Edo State.
“Fistula is a challenging problem in Nigeria as the nation is the country with the highest burden of Fistula in the World. We have about 12,000 cases annually.
“Fistula is not only a medical problem, but a social and psychological problem as some people with this condition commit suicide as a result of it.
“The Federal Government has started a programme of free Fistula management, as the government provides social support, rehabilitation and today close to 1,700 cases have been freely supported and we hope it will continue to grow,” the Minister said.
Governor Okpebholo who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for changing the narrative of Edo State, said the people will continue to appreciate him for all the development-oriented projects he has been initiating.
Governor Okpebholo noted that health is very important to Edo people and that the centre will serve not only the State, but the zone and other neighbouring states.
“The CMD of the centre has been struggling for the past two years. This centre belongs to the South South, but located in Edo and Edo people will benefit from it.
“I have no excuse, but to support the take-off of the centre. The hospital will commence soon as Edo State Government will support the centre and we thank the Federal Government for choosing Edo State,”
