By Samuel Oyejola
Women living with obstetric fistula in Nigeria have been advised to avail themselves with regular medical check up to prevent health complications, including fistula that could lead to death.
Fistula is said to be the most devastating of all pregnancy-related disabilities in Nigeria. According to a Press release made available to Time Nigeria on Wednesday to commemorate the International Day to End Fistula, VVF centers do not have enough beds or adequate electricity to operate.
The annual International Day to End Fistula (IDEOF) was set aside by the United Nations, as a day to rally support and draw attention to activities targeting the elimination of fistula.
The theme of this year’s IDEOF, “Hope, healing, and dignity for all,” is, at its heart, a call to realize the fundamental human rights of all women and girls everywhere, with a special focus on those most left behind, excluded and shunned by society.
United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) reported that each year about 50,000-100,000 women sustain an obstetric fistula in the act of trying to bring forth new life.
The Federal Ministry of Health also said that there are about half a million women in Nigeria suffering from Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
With about 500,000 Nigerian women living with obstetric fistula the Nigerian National Strategic Framework in 2008 reported that about 6,000 fistula repairs are performed every year in the country but more than 148,000 women were on the waiting list for surgery.
According to the release “some of the VVF centers Government need to increase the funding allocated to the health sector and implement provisions of various policies to address the needs of women and children.”
