KANO—The Project Manager, USAID Fistula Care Plus
Project, Dr. Habibu Sadauki, has said over 12,000
cases of Vesico Virginal Fistula, VVF, are recorded
annually in Nigeria.
Dr. Sadauki told reporters in Kano that the disorder
is more prevalent in the northern part of the
country.
Sadauki revealed that over 5,000 cases have been
repaired, explaining that the fundamental cause of
VVF is culture, poverty and illiteracy among the
citizens.
The USAID Project Manager disclosed that in Kano
State alone, 10 to 15 new cases are being recorded
every week in various hospitals in the state, as he
maintained that fistula can be repaired and
prevented if parents educate their female child to
patronise hospitals for proper delivery, to avoid post-
natal danger.
Meanwhile, Director and Chief Executive of African
Fistula Foundation, Malam Musa Isa, has called for a
law to end stigmatisation against VVF patients in the
country.
Isa made the call yesterday while fielding questions
from newsmen shortly after launching a VVF surgery
for 50 women at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital,
Zaria, Kaduna State.
Isa said the call was necessary in view of the stigma
the patients suffered from their husbands, relations
and the general public.
Partnership
Sadauki, the USAID Project Manager, said that under
the fistula care, the Nigerian programme had worked
closely with partners at federal, states 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 had supported 9,203 fistula
repairs at 10 facilities, in partnership with federal
and states ministries of health as well as women
affairs ministries.
He said other causes of VVF among young girls are
early marriage, prolong 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, social
isolation ulcer, infections, possible paralysis or death.
He appealed to the media to engage in vigorous
enlightenment campaign to the rural communities to
sensitise them on inherent dangers associated with
VVF.
VVF Foundation
African Fistula Foundation, Malam Isa said: “We are
also planning to see how we can encourage legislators
to sponsor a bill on stigmatisation against VVF
patients, especially by their husbands.
“The essence of the legislation is to deal with
husbands, who divorce their wives as a result of the
disease, which makes the victims fall into trauma.”
He said the surgical operation in Zaria was part of
activities to commemorate the International Fistula
Day, which comes up on May 23, every year.
He said the NGO had rendered such humanitarian
services for many years in Kano, Sokoto, Katsina,
Zamfara, Kaduna, among other states.
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www.vanguardngr.com/2015/05/nigeria-records-12000-cases-of-vvf-annually/

Ofcourse,

Mods, move it to the health section.

Peadophiles abound in the north under the amiable chairman senator yerima

The main problem is illiteracy, early child marriage which lead to this disease called vesico virginal fistula ''VVF''
Am a Northern, I know what am talking about.

The only solution is awareness and to discourage early child marriage, that way, the number recorded in Kano of 10-15 cases every week in hospitals will reduce to 1-5 cases (only with a situation where minors are raped).