By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Extended Hands Foundation, EHF,have repaired 35 women with Vesico Vaginal Fistula, VVF, in Kebbi State.

The mission which was led by nollywood star and founder, EHF, Stephanie Linus, was received by the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Abubakar Bagudu, and the First Lady Dr Zainab Bagudu, at Government House, Birni Kebbi, said the plight of the women with this condition bleeds her heart and spurs her to do the little she can to give them hope and future again.

Linus expressed her appreciation to NNPC/SNEPCo for their sponsorship of the operations to bring back normal life to the beneficiaries and also commended the teamwork that led to the successful operation of the patients at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Centre in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi.

According to her the Foundation has carried out similar operation to repair women with the challenge in Kebbi State, and this makes it the second time in the state due to their passion and concern for the plight of women affected.

The team of medical staff was led by a seasoned VVF Surgeon, Dr Sa’ad Idris, who was former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Abubakar Bawa, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Centre.

In this regard, the ace nollywood actress produced an advocacy movie titled, ‘DRY’, Child Bride and Fistula, which has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

In a related development , the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, have appointed the nollywood diva, Stephanie Linus, Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa, in recognition of her activism over access of women and girls to quality health care services and protection of their rights to what belongs to them, particularly the downtrodden.

As Regional Ambassador Linus will help advocate and raise awareness on these issues, whilst encouraging policies and laws that protect the rights and dignity of the girl child, and the critical investments needed for young people to fulfil their potential and for Africa to reap its demographic dividend.

In her speech the Regional Director, West and Central Africa, Mabingue Ngom, said the appointment will accelerate interventions that will improve health status of women and girls and added that the aim of the UNFPA was targeted on safeguarding pregnancies and childbirth.