… It is curable, preventable – Expert
A total of two million Africa Women are suffering from Obstetrics Fistula which has been described as curable and preventable, it has been disclosed.
A medical personnel from the National Obstetric Fistula Center Ningi, NOFIC Bauchi state, Dr. Bawa Maryam Shehu disclosed this at a Stakeholders awareness campaign held to end Fistula in Bauchi state .
Dr. Shehu disclosed that two million people, mostly women were estimated to have been affected with Obstetrics Fistula every year in Africa where 500 persons in Nigeria were also diagnosed annually with the scourge.
According to the expert, the causes of Fistula ailment is largely due to prolonged labour at home that exceeds more than three days and the absence of skilled birth attendants.
She said her establishment admitted 300 fistula patients last year out of which 296 of them had successfully underwent repairs and have since recuperated and joined their families.
The medical expert added that genital mutilation and non attendance of antenatal care at health facility causes Fistula.
According to her, research has shown that Fistula is not only restricted to first pregnancies alone but could also arise if skilled birth attendants do not attend to them at the time of delivery as she advised women to attain the age of 18 before considering conceiving.
Another Health Expert from NOFIC Ningi, Dr. Iyabo Kazim disclosed that Fistula ailment is curable and preventable saying that Fistula patients only needs care and support from their spouses, their immediate families and the community at large.
Dr Kasim, who spoke on ‘Fistula burden on individual, family and community’, said that stigmatizing patients afflicted with Fistula significantly slows the healing process of the patients because the ailment is curable and preventable.
She called on women to access healthcare services from respective skilled service providers within their immediate communities.
In a goodwill message, representative of Engender Health, Mrs. Elizabeth Otodo appreciated community leaders and other non state actors for supporting the cause to end fistula in the State.
A survivor of Fistula ailment, Hauwa Mohammed Aliyu said that leaving with fistula is herculean and depressing task which the patient alone cannot handle as she noted the difficulties compounded by poverty and stigma being experienced by patients who lack support.
She called on Government to create an empowerment initiative for Fistula patients to able them fend for themselves in the face of neglection by their families and communities.
This, she noted would greatly aid their healing and subsequent reintegration into their respective communities.
Earlier in his remarks the Director of Administration of NOFIC Ningi Alhaji Dahiru Adamu Bello said the state is lucky to have one of the 3 Fistula Centers sited in the State as he called on women to avail themselves the opportunity of being offered free medical services when afflicted with Obstetric Fistula.
He said the Federal Government of Nigeria has directed all the centers to offer free services which includes feeding to patients of Fistula.
In their separate remarks, representatives of Bauchi State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Hospital Management Board commended the efforts of NOFIC Ningi, Development Partners, Community leaders CSOs and the media for being part of the awareness campaign.
They equally expressed their readiness at all times to partner with any relevant organisation willing to support the improvement of health care services in the State.
In his remarks, the Chairman Bauchi and Hakimin Cikin Gari, Alhaji Nuru Adamu Jumba thanked the organizers for the awareness creation activities and pledged to direct his ward heads to replicate the campaign at their respective wards.
He called on caregivers to always allow their spouses to access health care services from skilled personnel at facilities closest to them.
Bauchi State Ministry of Health and the National Obstetric Fistula Center Ningi (NOFICN), with support from USAID Engender Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 held an awareness campaign to commemorate 2023 International Day to end Fistula in Bauchi metropolis.
