Chief Mrs. Josephine Elechi Receives International Award for Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Project

Since it was commissioned on 5th May, 2008, the Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Centre in Ebonyi State has recorded significant strides, culminating in national and international recognition of the Center and an international award to its founder, Chief Mrs. Josephine Elechi, wife of the State Governor.

The Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Centre (VVF) was established for the purpose of reducing maternal mortality through preventative measures as well as treatment for victims. VVF is managed by the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI), also founded by Mr. Elechi. Click here to learn more about VVF and MCCI.

From its commissioning till date (May 2010), VVF has treated four hundred and sixty seven (467) women patients from eleven States of the Federation free of charge.

In recognition of the relevance of the centre to the treatment of VVF in Nigeria, on March 16th, 2010, a National Health Committee headed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health designated VVF a National Fistula Centre.

Also, in recognition of the role of Mrs Elechi in improving maternal care to facilitate achievement of Millennium Development Goal MDG number 8, the Mother’s Knight Committee, a coalition of members from USAID and the UK, selected Mrs. Elechi as one of four recipients of a meritorious award for excellence. The award was presented to Mrs. Elechi in Abuja.

Upon her return to Ebonyi State, Mrs. Elechi presented the award to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi (MFR), who accepted it on behalf of the State. Chief Elechi congratulated the award recipient for her good work which has earned Ebonyi women a good name and has placed the State in high esteem. He also stated that now that the international community has seen that something good could come from “Nazareth,” Ebonyians should continue to conduct themselves in a manner that is in consonance with the Attitudinal Change Campaign to reposition Ebonyi State on the global map.