USAID donates N47m medicals for 70 Ebonyi PHCs

The US Agency for International Development has handed over medical equipment worth nearly N47 million for some 70 primary health centres in Ebonyi, months after the equipment were bought. Some of the equipment to be distributed to primary health centres are basics, and consumables as simple as stoves for sterilization, which is lacking in some […]

The US Agency for International Development has handed over medical equipment worth nearly N47 million for some 70 primary health centres in Ebonyi, months after the equipment were bought.
Some of the equipment to be distributed to primary health centres are basics, and consumables as simple as stoves for sterilization, which is lacking in some health centres.
“We studied all the health facilities in Ebonyi state and discovered that these basic equipment are lacking,” said Ebonyi health commissioner, Dr Daniel Umezurike. “From examination couch to beds, stethoscope, sphygnomanometers-everything you need in a basic primary health care centre.”
Others are to aid free repair of obstetric fistula-holes in the vagina resulting from prolonged obstructed labour-which has been ongoing in Ebonyi since 2008.
Ebonyi is home to the 90-bed National Obstetric Fistula Centre, where surgeons have repaired some 2,000 women in the last seven years, with support from federal government and USAID through its Fistula Care Plus project implemented by Engender Health.
“No one should have to suffer from fistula,” said Aler Grubbs, deputy mission director for USAID, in talks with Ebonyi government officials in Abakaliki. “It is both preventable and treatable.”
Ebonyi governor David Umahi, in comments delivered by deputy governor Kelechi Igwe, promised stronger engagement and “massive enlightenment’ to rural dwellers, citing enormity of expectations from the agency.
“USAID has been of tremendous help and assistance, and we cannot take your interventions for granted.