By Asmau Ahmad
The Kaduna State Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) had collaborated to rehabilitated and empower 100 Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients.
The Kaduna State governor’s wife, Hajiya A’isha El-Rufa’i, disclosed while applauding the collaboration at the graduation ceremony for the patients held at Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Zaria.
She described the continued recurrence of obstetric fistula as ‘a human rights tragedy’, reflecting the marginalisation of those affected. The governor’s wife said that the patients would be reintegrated into their families and the society through their newly acquired skills andtools for economic empowerment.
The State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Paul Dogo, said there was the need for community and village leaders, clerics, health workers and the media to create more awareness on the causes and how to prevent VVF.
Represented by a Director in the Ministry, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar, the commissioner described VVF as a serious condition that sadly crippled the future of young prospective women in Nigeria, with Northern States bearing the greatest burden.
He said: “Many girls between the ages 11 years and 15 years, who become mothers mostly because they were married-out early suffer some forms of deprivation. Such girls deny access to emergency obstetric care, are often victims of VVF.
“Estimates in Nigeria reveal that between 400, 000 and 800,000 women are currently living with the scourge of VVF with about 20,000 new cases being recorded annually.”
Our correspondent reports that the 100 rehabilitated women were provided with tools and machines to start-off businesses to become self-reliant after undergoing a series of training during their stay in the hospital.
