Fistula Centre Abakaliki discharges 66 patients treated of uterine disease

The National Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, on Friday discharged 66 patients treated of uterine prolapse disease.

The figure brings to 356, the total number of such patients treated by the centre since its inception in 2008.

The centre has also treated 1,726 Vesico Vagina fistula (VVF) patients.

Mrs Josephine Elechi, the wife of the governor of Ebonyi and Chairman of the governing board of the centre, said at the occasion that the exercise would benefit the patients greatly.

Elechi said it would afford them the opportunity to re-unite with members of their families and loved ones to celebrate the Christmas.

'The free repair exercise is necessitated by my feelings of compassion for the ugly plight and societal dehumanisation suffered by VVF/uterine proplapse victims as a result of their condition.

'The routine fistula repair always gives me joy as I see these women who were earlier abandoned, rejected and ridiculed by the society.

''I am happy to see them wearing smiles of joy as a result of their new look while looking forward to rejoicing with their kith and kin,' she said.

According to her, the society was soaked with cases of gender-based violence against women, as it was a known fact that such violence came in various forms.

'You will agree with me that the worst form of gender-based violence is being suffered by VVF/ uterine proplapse victims as a result of ostracisation.

'It is necessary for concerted efforts to be made by everyone, good spirited individuals, governmental and non-governmental agencies, to curb increasing cases of gender-based violence.

''It is indeed a very alarming social ill,' Elechi said.

Elechi urged the discharged patients to adhere strictly to the medical advice given to them by the medical personnel during their stay to guarantee effective and lasting recuperation.

Mr Austin Onyeke, a gender specialist with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), thanked Elechi for her commitment to uplifting the wellbeing of women, especially the vulnerable ones.

'The UNFPA is always ready to partner with the government and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring that women access provisions aimed at uplifting their wellbeing,' Onyeke said.

Mrs Nkechi Okoh, one of the treated patients, thanked the centre for the gesture and promised to abide by the advice of her doctor in order not relapse in her case.