From Ibrahim Abu
Mrs Peters Idowu, National Fistula Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Health, said that about 12,000 cases of Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) Disease are recorded yearly in Nigeria.
Idowu, who was in Yola for a five-day free medical surgery for fistula patients, gave the statistic in an interview with Newsmen in Yola.
The free surgery is organised by the Adamawa State Government and supported by the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA). According to the WHO the VVF disease occurs when a hole develops between the bladder and the vagina, with its most common cause being obstructed labor during childbirth that is left unrelieved.
The organisation estimates that there are 50,000 to 100,000 new cases of fistulas every year in places like Africa.
“Every year, about 12,000 fistula cases are recorded in Nigeria.
“Globally, we record about two million fistula cases and 800,000 out of the number living with the case are from Nigeria,’’ Idowu said.
She disclosed that on yearly basis, no fewer than four thousand fistula patients are repaired in 24 health facilities nationwide.
Mrs Fatima Abubakar, Adamawa Commissioner of health, said that the prevalence of VVF is alarming nationwide.
Abubakar said the government had taken a major step to respond to the situation adding that a centre of excellence would soon be established in the state to carter the need of the patients.
“So far, about 40 patients have already undergone the surgery and they are responding positively to treatment,’ Abubakar said.
She explained that the state government had already prepared free transportation and feeding allowances for the patients until they recovered fully.
