The First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Limited, has sponsored Vesico Virginal Fistula (VVF) surgery of 50 patients and supported 100 repaired patients with empowerment packages in Kano State.
The executive director, Public Sector, FBN, Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, said on Thursday in Kano that the effort was part of the bank’s activities cooperate responsibility.
“As part of activities marking our social responsibility week, we decided to sponsor surgery for 50 VVF patients.
“After undergoing surgery, we are empowering them to enable them start businesses that will assist to support themselves and their families.
“We are also supporting additional 100 women who were already been treated with the same kind of resources.
Ibrahim said that Obstetric Fistula is associated with psychological, social and economic challenges, including stigma, discrete, abandonment and neglect.
“That is why there is the need for rehabilitation and reintegration based on patients needs.
“That is why philanthropists, well to do individuals, NGOs, corporate organizations join hands with government to support the affected patients,” he said.
That executive director said that each of patient would be given potable pasta making machine, a bag of flour, vegetable oil and soybeans.
In his remarks, the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zahrau Umar, thanked the bank for the gesture.
He said that the gesture would go along way in helping those survivors to reclaim their lives and return to their community with confidence.
The governor also called on the stakeholders to partner with the state in various aspects of social developments.
He noted that the drugs addiction reformatory programme at Kiru is one area that requires supports and intervention from NGOs.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Yusuf, thanked the bank for empowering them, and assured to make best use of the items given to them.
