Foundation Repairs 312 VVF Cases, Trains 100 Community Advocates In Gombe
The Fistula Foundation said it has surgically repaired 312 Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) cases in the last three years in Gombe State.
The group also said it has trained 100 VVF survivors as community advocates to enhance campaigns against the scourge.
The Director of the Foundation, Dr Musa Isah, disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2025 World Fistula Day on Friday in Gombe.
A vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the bladder and the vagina resulting in continuous urine leakage through the vagina. It is a condition that occurs most commonly after obstetrical and gynaecological injury or some cultural practices like Gender Based Violence (GBV)
The theme for this year is “End Fistula Now; Restoring Dignity and Empowering Women”.
Isah said the advocates have been exposed to skills of their choice and tasked with identifying women living with VVF from remote communities for appropriate medical intervention.
He further lamented the rate of stigma some of these women have been through, noting that they have undergone countless failed surgeries and have been living in silence and shame.
“Some women we brought in have undergone failed surgeries countless times and are living in silence, ashamed of their condition. Many had been divorced due to stigma. But through these trained advocates, they are now being referred to hospitals for successful repairs,” he said.
He added that the foundation is scaling up intervention in five identified local government areas with the highest prevalence of VVF.
Also speaking, the state commissioner for health, Dr Habu Dahiru, highlighted the government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health in the state.
Dahiru, while acknowledging the works of the Fistula Foundation, noted that even as obstetric fistula is preventable, it has remained prevalent in many developing countries.
“When this administration came in 2019, maternal mortality was high, with fistula as a major contributor. Today, with improved antenatal care, surgical interventions and support from partners like the Fistula Foundation, we are making remarkable progress,” he said.
He commended the gynaecologist in charge of the Gombe Fistula Centre for making a difference in the lives of the affected women.
Also, the Desk Officer for Fistula, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Faruk Usman, stated that Nigeria accounts for 40 per cent of the global burden of obstetric fistula.
He further reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to reduce the figure, in line with the global goal of eradicating the condition by 2030.
“Fistula is not just a health issue; it is a matter of human rights and social justice. We must continue to strengthen health systems to ensure every woman has a safe and dignified childbirth experience,” he said.
On his part, Olarenwaju Bajuwa, UNFPA Coordinator in Gombe State, also commended the growing confidence among women who previously suffered in silence.
He lauded the state government for creating an enabling environment for development partners to reach underserved populations.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Miss Asama’u Iganus, encouraged the trained survivors to identify other affected women towards facilitating access to treatment.
Foundation Repairs 312 VVF Cases, Trains 100 Community Advocates In Gombe is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
