₦1.55 Billion in Payments Without Supporting Documents at Bauchi Fistula Centre Under Dr. Halima Mukaddas

Secrets Reporters

For women living with obstetric fistula, access to specialised medical care can mean the difference between years of suffering and a chance at a normal life.

But this investigation has uncovered a major financial accountability concern at the National Obstetric and Fistula Centre, Ningi, Bauchi State, which could result in worsen access to obstetric fistula medical care in Nigeria.

Investigation of the Centre’s 2023 financial activities has identified ₦1.599 billion in irregularities across two findings.

At the time the financial activities under review took place in 2023, the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Ningi, was headed by Dr. Halima Mukaddas, who was appointed Medical Director of the Centre by the Federal Government with effect from July 28, 2022, for an initial four year tenure. The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed her appointment in August 2022, while contemporary reports in January 2023 identified her as the substantive Chief Medical Director of the institution.

₦1.555 billion was paid out without relevant supporting documents available on file. The figure represents more than 97 percent of the total irregularities identified by the investigators.

In practical terms, the findings indicate that the Centre could not provide the documentation required to independently verify payments amounting to more than one and a half billion naira.

For a public health institution entrusted with government funds and serving some of the most vulnerable women in northern Nigeria, the size of this documentation gap raises serious questions about financial controls, transparency and accountability.

It was also discovered that ₦44.38 million in extra-budgetary expenditure, was drawn from the Centre’s internally generated revenue account.

The National Obstetric and Fistula Centre exists to provide specialised care to women suffering from a devastating childbirth-related condition.

Many fistula patients already face poverty, stigma, social isolation and prolonged physical suffering.