‘VVF patients should not be stigmatised’

What are the major causes of fistula among women? Fistula is caused mostly by complications during childbirth, even though we have a lot of related problems associated with childbirth which may lead to the complication. The centre in Ningi was established to cater for women affected by Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and it is a […]

What are the major causes of fistula among women?
Fistula is caused mostly by complications during childbirth, even though we have a lot of related problems associated with childbirth which may lead to the complication.
The centre in Ningi was established to cater for women affected by Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and it is a noble idea by the government considering the danger of fistula among women in Nigeria especially in the North-east, where we have a lot of complications.
Our objectives and vision among others is to reduce to the barest minimum the alarming rate of VVF cases and its attendant danger to women. Fistula is preventable if people adhere to the best practices and expert medical advice.

How accessible is the VVF centre in Ningi being the only one serving the entire North-East?
Currently we run two types of programmes in tackling VVF. One is the routine repair where women affected with fistula can just walk into the hospital and get treated.
We also run what we call poll effort which involves mass campaign to create awareness on the health services on VVF prevention. This has continued to attract appreciative turn-up of the VVF victims because we use the media to target the women in the North-east region. We receive hundreds of cases even from the states beyond the region after the media campaigns.

With most health centres facing inadequate funds and skilled manpower, how is this centre coping?
The government should be commended for establishing the VVF centre.
Since the centre was established, there have been collaborative efforts in conjunction with NGOs in organizing mass campaigns. There is also the fatherly effort of some philanthropists like the Emir of Ningi in mobilizing communities to attend the VVF centre. 
One major challenge is the inadequate manpower and experts to carry out surgery on the VVF patients. You know government is providing this health services free in spite of the economic difficulties in the country, so funding constitutes a major constraint.

How many women affected by the VVF diseases have so far undergone operation in this centre since establishment?
The VVF centre was initially under the Bauchi State government until the federal government took over and since then almost 400 VVF patients have successfully undergone operation.

From your assessment, are the cases of VVF rising or declining since the establishment of the centre?
According to the national statistics, it appears the cases of VVF is fast rising due to lack of awareness, but now following the level of awareness campaign through the involvement of the media, I am happy to inform you that declining cases is in our favour.

What is your appeal to the community in respect of patronizing the VVF Centre?
My appeal goes to the women particularly. They should always attend medical check-up before and during childbirth. The society also should not look down on the women affected by VVF. The society should care and love them in order to curb the disease. However, the community should support the VVF Centre as there will be no meaningful success where level of patronage is located low within the immediate community.