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By DADA AYOKHAI
Senator Neda Imasuen has expressed disappointment with the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC) in Benin City, citing poor facilities and slow development.
During an oversight visit, Imasuen noted that the centre’s temporary facility and permanent site development are in a troubling state, with little progress made since the MOU signing last year .
The centre was established to treat obstetric fistula, a preventable medical condition affecting thousands of Nigerian women.
The Federal Government had signed an MOU with Edo State Government to establish the centre, with a 22-hectare land allocated for the permanent site .
Senator Imasuen described the condition of both the temporary facility and the stalled development of the permanent site as deeply troubling, noting that little or no meaningful work had been done on the permanent location.
“This is the National Fistula Hospital in Benin. There are only four of them in the country, and they provide critical services for our women,” he said. “What I have seen so far is not encouraging at all. We are supposed to have a permanent site, and as you can see, nothing looks like it.”
He explained that the current facility in Ugbor is a converted Primary Health Care (PHC) that is grossly inadequate for the Centre’s mandate, lacking basic furnishing, proper lighting and reliable power supply.
“They depend on just one generator that runs round the clock. Staff are not properly housed in offices, and the challenges are many,” the Senator said.
Despite the constraints, Senator Imasuen noted that the Centre carried out a number of fistula surgeries last year and has continued surgeries this year. He said this could rise significantly if the Centre is properly supported.
He pledged to raise the matter on the floor of the Senate and within the Committee on Health, particularly during deliberations on the 2026 budget, with a view to securing improved funding and accelerating work on the permanent site.
“With the 2026 budgetary allocations, we hope to at least move the knot a little further. This situation needs to be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities so real development can begin here,” he said.
The Senator also questioned why an institution of such national importance was established without a take-off grant to ensure smooth operations from inception.
Earlier, the Medical Director of NOFIC, Professor Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye (MON), appealed to the lawmaker to convey the Centre’s pressing needs to the Senate. He stressed the need for improved staff welfare, including the provision of vehicles to transport staff to work.
While commending Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for providing land for the permanent site, the Medical Director warned of the urgent need to erect a perimeter fence to prevent land grabbers.
The visit culminated in a tour of the temporary facility and the permanent site. Other officials present included the Head of Clinical Services, Dr Christopher Ovenseri; Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Grace Areghan; Public Relations Consultant, Mr Daniel Aigbavhoa; Team Lead, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Yolanda Iyere and the Deputy Chief Whip, Edo State House of Assembly, Dr Richard Edosa
