12,000 Women Contracted VVF In Nigeria – Dr Sadauki

The project manager of the USAID Fistula care plus project, Dr. Habibu Sadauki, has disclosed that Kano State records over 12,000 cases of fistula every year.

Dr. Sadauki told reporters in Kano on Thursday that over 5,000 cases have been repaired while the fundamental cause of VVF is prolonged child labour, early pregnancy and culture, poverty and illiteracy among the communities and this is prevalent mostly in northern part of the country.

According to him, in Kano state, 10 to 15 new cases are being recorded every week in Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospitals in the state, pointing out that fistula can be repaired and prevented if parents educate their female children to patronise hospitals for proper delivery in order to avoid any danger that may occur.

He said that under the fistula care, the Nigerian programme has worked closely with partners at federal, state and community levels to achieve the remarkable success in fistula service delivery which includes prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, research and innovation.

Dr. Sadauki also explained that from 2007 to 2014, the Nigerian programme has supported 9203 fistula repairs at ten facilities in partnership with federal and state ministries of health as well as women affairs ministries.

He said that another cause of VVF among young girls is attributed to early marriage, prolonged labour and harmful traditional practices.

Sadauki said consequences of fistula are life shattering for the women who experience it and it leaves them with chronic incontinence, resulting in social isolation which makes them to contact ulcer and infections or possible paralysis or death.

He therefore appealed to the media to engage in vigorous enlightenment campaigns to the rural communities so as to sensitise them on inherent dangers associated with Viscula Vigina fistula.

READ ALSO: PDP moves against Fani-Kayode, orders probe of ex-Minister

Click And Read More From Newstrack.ng