No fewer than 911 women and girls were confirmed to have successfully undergone free vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair in Taraba State in four years.
The achievement was announced yesterday by a medical team from the Evangel VVF Center, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State.
The team, led by fistula surgeon Dr. Jemimah Agyema, during a radio programme, said more than 560 women had their fistula repaired in the first cycle of the project.
In the ongoing second cycle, over 350 women, according to her, have been so far treated, among who she said includes two women living with disabilities.
Dr. Jemimah, also noted that the number of women seeking treatment is likely to increase in the coming days, especially as those in rural communities, are coming forward to access care at the United Methodist Church Nigeria UMCN in Jalingo.
While emphasizing the need for collective efforts to end fistula in Taraba and the North-East region at large, the need for the state and other critical stakeholders to join forces with the centre in fighting obstetric fistula, she believed can no longer be overemphasized.
In collaboration with the Christofel Blending Mission (CBM), she said there is optimism that the disease can be eradicated from Taraba and the country.
The surgeon identified poverty, illiteracy, and nutrition among others as major causes of the condition, and called for comprehensive measures to eradicate it, stating that “the poorest of the poor are the ones affected by VVF, because they are always unable to access care.”
She expressed concerns at the way fistula patients were being stigmatized and stated that “many have been abandoned by their families and as well isolated by society.”
She encouraged fistula patients to advocate accessible and inclusive reproductive health services and increase public awareness of the condition.
“Women and girls should come out and lead advocacy for accessible and inclusive reproductive health services,” she said, adding that, “women themselves have to lead the advocacy to let the government and the public know that this condition is real.”
She called on the government to support efforts to rehabilitate women and girls who have been affected by fistula and empower them to eradicate the condition in Taraba and the North-East region.
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