FG committed to end suffering of women suffering from fistula, other conditions
Succour came the way of Nigerian women as Federal Government has reiterated its resolve towards alleviating the sufferings of women living with the abnormal health condition popularly known as Fistula.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, gave the assurance in Abuja, during the implementation of a ‘Rehabilitation and Reintegration Project for Women and the Girl Child’ themed: ‘Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics 2022’.
Obstetric Fistula is a prevalent public health issue in Nigeria, posing devastating maternal morbidities afflicting women. It is estimated that over 13,000 new cases occur annually among young girls and women, thus the urgent need to end this challenge becomes crucial to the Federal Ministry of Health.
Stakeholders who spoke at the event, including representatives of TEENS Ambassador Foundation expressed optimism that hope is not lost for women suffering from this medical disorder.
Read Also: Addressing VVF Stigma Via Health Intervention In Borno
Read Also:
The Minister who was represented by the Director and Head of Family Health Department, Dr Salma Ibrahim, who expressed grave concern over the plight of the affected women, frowned at the activities of quack doctors leading to the scourge of fistula crisis in the country.
On his part, Samuel Munza, Medical Coordinator, TEEN Ambassadors Foundation observed that “some girls get married at their miniclade, their first menstrual period is like a sign, it is like the day of signing the contract to get married at very young teenage age 12, 13 years we even have issue of nine years old getting married. Earlier on you heard the opening address by the representative of the Minister for Health, where she mentioned the story of the 16-year-old woman who got married between the age of 9 to 13, and then the first time she had sexual intercourse was when she took in and ended up with fistula.
While pledging the resolve of the Foundation towards alleviating the suffering of the victims of Fistula, Mr Munza said: “Our role here as TEEN Ambassador Foundation is that, apart from providing educational services because we provide prevention services through educating the masses and as we told you that the Teenage population is very important here, not just the Teenage population but the women and girl child generally, and equally the men because at TEEN Ambassador Foundation we engage the communities to bring to them awareness on important health conditions.
In his remarks, Professor James Ayangunna from the University of Ibadan stressed the need for adequate provisions for rehabilitation and reintegration of the affected women into society after the surgery.
