By Lizzy Carr
The National Obstetric Fistula Center Ningi Bauchi State has conducted free surgeries to 50 women with fistula as it joined the global community in the campaign to end obstetric fistula by 2030.
Chief medical Director of the center Dr Halima Mukkadas said the surgeries are under the free pooled effort fistula surgeries for women from the North East and some other states.
She noted that obstetric fistula is which is caused by prolonged obstructed labour without access to prompt quality medical care which leaves the woman with a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum.
“With this year’s theme breaking the circle preventing fistula, her health, her right, the National Obstetric Fistula Center Ningi thought it wise to conduct the pool efforts inorder to give hope to the women suffering in silence”
Dr Halima Mukkadas noted that the center had to visit neighbouring states with high number of VVF patients to informed them about the pool effort.
“This is a time where the center brings medical experts from across the Country to come in and provide surgeries to these women especially those with complicated conditions. It is also an avenue to for the center’s staff to learn.”
The CMD said apart from the pool effort,the center carries out routine fistula surgeries every Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“This is our effort to help prevent obstetric fistula by 2030, and I am happy that these women who come in worried, depressed and traumatized leave the center with smiles on their faces as we give them quality care”.
Dr Halima Mukkadas added that from consultations, investigations, surgeries, rehabilitation and feeding are all free so also other maternal and reproductive health services like family planning and cesarean section for any woman who wants to deliver “.
She further stated that the women are enrolled into the National Health Insurance Authority where they would access services free inline with the Health reform program which classified them under the vulnerable program.
The Chief Medical Director however noted that the center is challenged in the area of providing empowerment kits to the women after they receive training.
Hauwa Musa who had her first VVF surgery 20 years ago has undergone another one at the center and she is happy that this time it’s free of charge.
Another survivor 18 years old Khadija Suleiman from wailo community in Ganjuwa Local government area has flight started two years ago during her first delivery where she had to labour for days and after losing the baby she was left with leaking urine uncontrollably.
” Today I am a happy person knowing that I can sit comfortably with others without worrying that they will perceive the smell of urine. I want to thank this center and the staff for the care and support”.