Inadequate manpower hampers C’ River VVF centre

Inadequate manpower is posing a challenge to the operations of Vesico-vaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Cross River State. At the moment, the centre needs over seven surgeons and nurses who are expected to be trained on VVF. The additional hands are to stem the increasing cases of VVF in the state.

Confirming the inadequate manpower at the centre (VVF), the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, lamented the inadequacy, noting that the need for training of more surgeons and nurses to complement the service providers at Viscula Vaginal Fistuta Centres in Cross River State should be emphasised.

Esu confirmed the inadequacy of manpower at the centre when he received a team of United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) in Government House, Calabar. He stressed the need for surgeons to be trained with full complement of health staff to help stem the spread and possible influx of cases from neighbouring states to the VVF centres in the state and appealed that seven additional surgeons and nurses should be trained to position the state to adequately handle VVF cases.

While assuring the team of government’s support, Esu called on UNPF to collaborate with the numerous health related programme of government, including Mediatrix Development Foundation, a pet project of the wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade, to improve healthcare delivery and the well-being of our people, which is the main concern of our government.

In his presentation, the Team Leader and Programme Coordinator, Kenneth Ehougou stated that the UNFPA would assist the state in the treatment of VVF, which he described as a critical public health issue, which put young women and girls in very disadvantaged situation.