Federal Government Unveils Modern ICU and Oxygen Plant at Ebonyi Fistula Centre

The Federal Government has commissioned new medical infrastructure at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Ebonyi State, including an ultra-modern Intensive Care Unit, maternity facilities, and an oxygen production plant.

Daju Kachollom, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, officially unveiled the facilities during a ceremony at the specialised healthcare centre. The additions represent significant upgrades to the centre's capacity to treat women suffering from obstetric fistula, a devastating childbirth injury that affects thousands of Nigerian women annually.

The new ICU complex will enable the centre to provide critical care support for patients requiring intensive monitoring following surgical interventions. Previously, complicated cases requiring intensive care often had to be transferred to other facilities, disrupting continuity of treatment and increasing risks for vulnerable patients.

The dedicated oxygen plant addresses a chronic challenge facing Nigerian healthcare facilities. Oxygen shortages have been documented across the country's medical institutions, with supply constraints contributing to preventable deaths during emergencies. On-site production capability ensures reliable access to this essential medical resource.

Obstetric fistula, typically caused by prolonged labour without timely medical intervention, leaves affected women with devastating physical and social consequences. The condition often results in social isolation, loss of livelihoods, and severe psychological trauma. Nigeria bears one of the world's highest burdens of this preventable condition.

The National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Ebonyi serves as a specialised facility dedicated to surgical repair and rehabilitation of affected women. The centre provides free treatment services, addressing a critical gap in maternal healthcare for impoverished women who cannot afford private surgical interventions.

Health advocates have welcomed the infrastructure upgrades whilst noting that addressing Nigeria's fistula burden requires broader investments in maternal healthcare access. Preventing the condition through improved emergency obstetric care and skilled birth attendance remains essential to reducing new cases.

The Federal Ministry of Health has prioritised fistula care as part of its broader mandate to improve women's health outcomes. International partners, including UNFPA and various non-governmental organisations, have supported Nigerian government efforts through funding, technical assistance, and training programmes.

For Ebonyi State, a predominantly rural region in southeastern Nigeria, the upgraded facility represents both improved healthcare access and economic opportunity. The centre employs medical staff and supports local service providers, contributing to the regional economy whilst delivering essential health services.

Patients and their families expressed gratitude for the facility improvements during the commissioning ceremony. Many women treated at the centre have successfully returned to their communities, resuming normal lives after successful surgical repair restored their continence and dignity.