The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over modern medical equipment for the treatment and management of obstetric fistula to Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto, in a move aimed at improving access to quality maternal healthcare for women and girls.

The equipment was officially presented at a ceremony attended by officials of the Sokoto State Government, UNFPA, development partners and health professionals.

Representing the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Director of Nursing Services, Abubakar Shehu, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services.

He said the donation would enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality, safe and dignified care to women living with obstetric fistula.

“This equipment will strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare and ensure that women affected by obstetric fistula have access to quality, safe and dignified care,” Shehu said.

He expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership with the state government in advancing healthcare delivery and urged the management of the hospital to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.

“I sincerely appreciate UNFPA for its invaluable partnership and support in advancing healthcare in Sokoto State. I urge the management of the hospital to make effective use of this equipment and ensure proper maintenance for the benefit of our people,” he added.

Speaking during the handover, the Team Lead of the UNFPA Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Rabi Sagir, said the agency’s ultimate goal is to eliminate obstetric fistula in Sokoto State through prevention while ensuring quality treatment for existing cases.

“Our ultimate goal in UNFPA is not to keep providing surgical equipment. Our ultimate goal is to have zero obstetric fistula in Sokoto State,” she said.

Dr. Sagir described obstetric fistula as a devastating but preventable condition that reflects deeper social inequalities affecting women and girls.

“Obstetric fistula is devastating, but it is also preventable. It is a reminder of the inequality that exists in society. It speaks to lack of empowerment, minimal education and limited financial access for many women,” she noted.

She stressed that UNFPA views obstetric fistula not only as a health challenge but also as a social and development issue.

“For us in UNFPA, obstetric fistula is not only a health issue; it is also a social issue. It is about women who have been left behind, and we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals if we leave anyone behind.”

Dr. Sagir noted that UNFPA had supported the facility for many years through funding from development partners, including the European Union under the SARA Health Project and the Government of Canada.

She urged the hospital to maintain the equipment to ensure that more women benefit from the intervention.

“We look forward to this facility making good use of this equipment, and we encourage continued investment in its maintenance so that many more women can benefit,” she said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Muhammad Buhari Umar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with development partners to improve healthcare delivery.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu was focused on building synergy and aligning development interventions with the state’s priorities under its nine-point agenda.

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“The focus of this administration is to ensure that synergy and convergence are established. We appreciate UNFPA for aligning its interventions with the needs of Sokoto State, and we look forward to stronger collaboration with other development partners,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, who said he was impressed by the level of improvement at the hospital during a recent visit, challenged the management to translate the new equipment into better health outcomes.

“The price of doing a good job is doing good. It is one thing to hold a ceremony; it is another thing to produce results from it. After this equipment, we want to see improved service delivery in this facility,” he said.

He assured stakeholders that the state government would continue to support initiatives that improve healthcare services and deliver measurable results for the people of Sokoto State.