The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Office in Nigeria has conducted a project monitoring and evaluation exercise to Maiduguri, Borno on the humanitarian project currently implemented by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
KOICA in a statement on Tuesday said that the mission was jointly led by its Country Director, Mr Woochan Chang and the UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Ulla Elisabeth Mueller.
It stated that the project titled “Fostering Resilience and Provision of Basic Medical Services for Women and Girls in Borno, Nigeria” benefitted the residents of the state.
According to the Korean Agency, the project was through its implementing partner, delivering critical medical services to women and girls in Borno with a total funding support of five million dollars, under a four-year period, 2018 -2021.
The project, according to the agency, is designed to increase access to comprehensive maternal and child health care, fistula care and improve capacity for result-based data management system.
It stated that the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
According to the statement, Gov. Zulum was quoted as appreciating the Korean government’s support in increasing access to comprehensive maternal and child health care and fistula care for women and girls in the state.
He emphasised on the need to avoid duplication of efforts among donor partners in the state.
The KOICA Country Director in his response, appreciated the governor for his hospitality and called for his support in ensuring the sustainability of the project deliverables after the end of the project.
It stated that monitoring and evaluation activities carried out during the trip included a visit to the fully equipped Fistula Centre of Excellence at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.
The statement described the Fistula Centre of Excellence as a major output of KOICA’s intervention and the center had been adjudged as a flagship Ultra-modern center for the repair of obstetric fistula cases in the Northeast.
It stated that the highlights of the mission trip included the inauguration of the first-of-its-kind Fistula Centre of Excellence and Integrated Women Empowerment Centre located with Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC) by state governor represented his Chief of Staff, Prof Isa Hussaini Marte.
Also in attendance included Hon. Zuwaira Gambo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, who represented the Governor’s wife, Dr Falmata Umara Zullum.
The team also visited other project sites and beneficiaries such as the newly constructed and equipped Women and Girls Safe (WGS) Spaces and Integrated Facility in Maiduguri Municipal Council (MMC).
It stated that so far, the project had enabled the delivery of maternal and child health care and fistula care related trainings to 374 health workers and supported 449 free repair surgeries obstetric fistula cases at the Ultra-modern fistula center
“It has also delivered vocational skills trainings and starter-kits to 391 fistula survivors, supported 72, 916 assisted deliveries by skilled birth assistants, supported 3,032 Caesarean deliveries, 43,773 Antenatal Care (ANC) delivery, 29,902 Postnatal Care (PNC) delivery,
“It has also enhanced the capacity of primary healthcare facilities to deliver maternal and child healthcare in the COVID-19 outbreak through the procurement of 10 mini-ambulances.
“It has supported the upgrade and renovation of two existing health facilities at 505 Housing Jere LGA and Usmanti settlement of Konduga LGA, provided 78 health facilities with essential medical equipment,” the agency stated