As part of activities marking its 25th anniversary, the Community Health Research Initiative (CHR) has conducted an outreach visit to the Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Centre in Kwalli, Kano State, to support survivors and promote long-term empowerment.
The visit was led by the Executive Administrator of CHR, Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim, alongside civil society organisations (CSOs), and media representatives.
The outreach aimed to show solidarity with VVF survivors and provide essential hygiene materials to patients at the centre.
The CHR delegation was warmly received by the Officer-in-Charge of the VVF Centre, Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim.
During the visit, the CHR team held discussions with the centre’s management on sustainable strategies to empower women undergoing treatment and to support their transition to independent and dignified lives after discharge.
The discussions centred on long-term solutions that would help survivors rebuild their confidence, acquire essential skills, and secure sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking during the visit, Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim described CHR as an organisation dedicated to improving community health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on women’s and children’s health.
According to her, CHR has, over the years, worked through advocacy, training, research, and policy influence to ensure access to quality healthcare while empowering communities to take charge of their health.
“CHR supports community-based initiatives that raise awareness, improve access to essential services, and address the needs of vulnerable populations,”
In line with this mission, CHR pledged to support VVF survivors in long-term and meaningful ways, including partnering with the centre to provide skills acquisition opportunities and start-up capital for the women, helping them build sustainable livelihoods beyond their stay at the centre.
Also speaking, the Co-Chair of the Community of Practice (CoP), Malam Salisu Yusuf, stressed the importance of entrepreneurship skills in transforming the lives of VVF survivors.
He noted that social protection initiatives enable vulnerable groups to become productive and self-reliant members of society.
In her remarks, Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim commended CHR for the visit and the kind gesture.
She revealed that the centre is at an advanced stage of introducing a comprehensive data collection system to collate details of all patients.
She explained that the initiative would help the centre track survivors after discharge and ensure the sustainability of entrepreneurship skills and economic opportunities provided to them.
The team also interacted with patients at the centre, engaging them in open and supportive discussions on health, well-being, and emotional support.
The women were educated on the causes of VVF, prevention methods, and personal hygiene practices.
The session was interactive, with patients asking questions that were addressed by members of the CHR team, who offered guidance, encouragement, and practical advice.
At the end of the session, sanitary items including washing soap, detergent, disinfectant, and petroleum jelly were distributed to the women.
Other speakers during the visit included Executive Director YOSPIS, Zainab Nasir, and Hajiya Zainab, among others.
The delegation also toured the centre to inspect facilities, workshops, and other key sections of the VVF Centre.