UNFPA, FFN organise 5days free VVF repair surgery

Director of Fistula Foundation Nigeria (FFN), Musa Isa, has urged women who are unable to control urine or faeces after giving birth to register for free repair surgery at Maryam Abacha Fistula Centre, Sokoto. He made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja. He noted that the five days of free surgery would take place from Nov. 22 to Nov. 26, saying "tell a friend to tell another friend, until these mothers are identified and helped.

He noted that the surgery was organised by FFN, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), funded by Global Affairs Canada, the department of the Government of Canada that leads that country's development and humanitarian assistance. Isa stated that the inability to control urine or faeces by some women after giving birth could be an obstetric fistula that could be repaired.

He urged those who needed such assistance to call: 08036322742 for further details. He explained that "the free fistula surgery in Sokoto is targeting 50 women. They have three invited surgeons and two resident surgeons in Sokoto. Two of the invited surgeons are master trainers of Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) from Abuja and one expert from Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Obstetric Fistula, also known as Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that results in continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence. UNFPA, FFN organise free VVF repair surgeryIt is a neglected public health and human rights issue, and a devastating childbirth injury which may be due to prolonged or obstructed labour, early marriage, poverty, and women's limited control over the use of family resources.