USAID Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO), an international nongovernmental organisation, has successfully repaired 57 Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) cases initially deemed irreparable, in Sokoto State.
MSSFPO Country Representative, Dr. Kabiru Atta, disclosed this during the stakeholders’ meeting on the project sustainability and scaling up event on Thursday in Sokoto.
Atta, who was represented by Dr. Umar Abdulrazaq, said the project, implemented by Washington-based nongovernmental organisation, Engender Health, has achieved 85 per cent success on surgical obstetric care, enhancing healthcare workers’ skills and repairing female genital mutilation (FGM).
He said that other areas comprised VVF prevention, treatment and care for fistula patients through clinical capacity building.
He explained that the project started in 2022 and also works with partners to strengthen health system and expand access to contraceptive choices to all clients in Nigeria.
The Country Representative noted that Nigeria is among the countries with high rate of VVF prevalence, a condition mainly caused by prolonged labour and complications during childbirth.
He added that MSSFPO is implemented in five states of Nigeria, stressing that in Sokoto, the project covers seven local governments of Binji, Bodinga, Gada, Goronyo, Gwadabawa, Tambuwal and Sokoto North.
In his address, Mr. Stanley Ossai said the project had facilitated the advancement of maternal and child health.
Ossai explained that the project had advocated an increase in budget allocation to fistula disease in the state, which received positive result with N200 million allocated to the handlers.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Hajia Asabe Balarabe, reiterated government’s commitment to partnering with agencies on enhancing healthcare services and better the lives of citizenry.
Balarabe, represented by Dr. Abdulganiyu Yusuf, assured Sokoto residents that government would continue the rehabilitation of dilapidated health facilities across the state.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bodinga, said the assembly would pass a bill that would improve health service delivery to the people.
Bodinga, represented by Kabir Dauda, a colleague, underscored the importance of sensitising people on fistula cases, unsafe surgeries, FGM, harmful practices and other poor reproductive health practices.
The project focuses on reducing fistula cases and educating people on cultural norms that promote safe reproductive health services.
Fistula is an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina that results in continuous and unremitting urinary incontinence mostly caused by prolonged labour during childbirth.
The condition can cause a lot of discomfort and, if left untreated, may cause serious bacterial infection that may result in sepsis, a dangerous condition that can lead to low blood pressure, organ damage or even death. (NAN)
