MENDEFERA, Eritrea — With the support of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, the Minister of Health of the State of Eritrea opened a hostel for women with obstetric fistula on 18 April. Efforts to construct a hostel in in the city of Mendefera, 56 km south of the capital Asmara, began in December 2011 and led to the colourful inauguration ceremony.

The event was attended by Christine N. Umutoni, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNFPA's Eritrea Representative, the UNFPA OIC/AR, officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives of UN agencies, Government officials from other ministries, members of the local community and obstetric fistula patients.

The centre cost around $350,000, which was covered by Americans for UNFPA. It has the capacity to accommodate 30 patients.

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Health Amina Nurhusein thanked the partners who had contributed to the hostel’s successful completion. “The Government of the State of Eritrea is committed to achieving the MDG targets, including the eradication of obstetric fistula, in the coming two years,” she said.

UNRHC and UNFPA Representative a.i., Christine N. Umutoni, congratulated the Government of the State of Eritrea for its achievements in health-related areas and in reproductive health in particular, including effectively addressing the problem of obstetric fistula. Ms. Umutoni reaffirmed the commitment of the UN system in Eritrea to support the development efforts of the country and expressed the readiness of the UN to collaborate with the Government in realizing the MDGs.