Idowu Abdullahi
No fewer than 200 women are expected to benefit from a free fistula repair surgery sponsored by the Raised Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.
The foundation revealed this when it announced plans to carry out the surgery through its medical outreach on January 27, 2025, at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora, Niger State.
The vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder (vesica) and the vagina that leads to the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, Nigeria has 148, 000 cases of fistula and records about 12,000 new cases every year. Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest number of VVF cases globally.
The foundation’s Communication Officer, Ruth Mamman-Jiya, explained that the intervention aims to ensure free obstetric fistula repair for women.
“We intended to carry out 200 surgeries within one year, starting from July 2024 to June 2025. So far, we have done 121 surgeries, and this outreach is a continuation of that effort,” she said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Jiya noted that the foundation had through community mobilisers, health centres, and radio awareness campaigns mobilised patients for medical outreach.
According to her, the foundation has a good working relationship with most health centres within the state, saying they also refer patients to its centre.
She disclosed that the foundation had carried out over 800 surgeries since its inception in 2017.
“Since 2020, all surgeries have been carried out at the Dr Amina Women Health Centre, Kontagora,” she added.
According to her, the centre provides a comprehensive package, including surgery, feeding, and accommodation, all free of charge.
“We don’t just treat them and leave them, we empower them with skills and start-up packs to reintegrate them back into society,” she said.
The centre’s vision, she said, was to create a Nigeria where no woman dies from pregnancy-related causes, and obstetric fistula was eradicated.
“We try to restore hope and dignity to women living with fistula, and our goal is to reduce the negative indices of Fistula in Nigeria,” she added.
She said no woman should have to bear the pains and troubles that come with obstetric fistula while trying to give birth.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post 200 women to benefit from free fistula repair surgery appeared first on Healthwise.