Efio-Ita Nyok|25 May 2016|6:09am
The Cross River State Ministry of Health presents United Nations day to end Obstetric Fistula.
This day is usually commemorated on the 23rd of May every year.
Activities to make this day include Advocacy Sanitisation and Free surgeries which includes transportation and feeding.
This will take place in Ogoja General Hospital on the 30th of May 2016 and the General Hospital Calabar on the 14th day of June, 2016.
Please contact the office of the Medical Superintendent of both hospitals for more information.
Signed:
Dr Inyang Asibong
Commissioner for Health
Cross River State.
Earlier on the media and publicity aide, Coco-Bassey Esu, to the Honourable Commissioner for Health had made an article on VVF, below is the rendition.
ENDING VESICO-VAGINA FISTULA IN CROSS RIVER STATE.
23 May, international day set aside by World Health General Assembly in marking end to obstetric fistula, the theme is “End Fistula within a Generation.
Cross River State Government will use the International Day to significantly raise awareness and intensify actions towards ending obstetric fistula – Vesico – vagina fistula from 23rd to 31st may. During this period, the state ministry of Health will offer free surgeries, physiotherapy, psychological counseling, health/ nutrition classes and a post surgery skills acquisition program at two designated hospitals-General Hospital Calabar and Ogoja General Hospital.
Vesico Vaginal Fistula is a child birth related injury where a hole develops between the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina. This condition affects millions of women around the world, Primarily in poverty stricken countries where there is very limited access to health care and an emergency cesarean section. Nigeria has the world's highest burden of obstetric fistula, so increasing the capacity for treatment is crucial.
ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH VESICO – VAGINA FISTULA.
*Without treatment, fistula often leads to social, physical, emotional and economic decline.
*Inspite of one's efforts to stay clean, the smell of leaking Urine or faces is hard to eliminate and difficult to ignore. The dampness causes rashes and infection.
*The grief of losing a child and becoming disabled exacerbates the pain.
*The injury leaves women with few opportunities to earn a living and many have to rely on others to survive, or turn to begging or commercial Sex.
*The stigma associated with the condition keeps many women hidden away. Some go into deep physical and emotional decline and may resort to suicide.
*The average cost of fistula treatment and post operative care is $400. Sadly, most women with the condition do not know that the treatment is available and most times they cannot afford it.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF VAGINAL FISTULAS .
*Urine escapes continuously into the vagina in a patient with a vesico vaginal fistula.
*With a recto vaginal fistula, there is fecal incontinence, and flatus is discharged through the vagina.
*Despite the best surgical intervention, fistulas may recur. After surgery, medical follow up continues for at least two years to monitor for a possible recurrent.
KEY STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS FISTULAS IN CROSS RIVER STATE.
*Provide access to adequate medical care for all pregnant women.
*Provide emergency obstetric care for those who develop complications.
*Increase access to education and family planning services for women and men.
*Postpone pregnancy for young girls until they are physical mature.
*Improve girl's nutrition to minimize the risk of complications during child birth.
*Repair physical and emotional damages through specialized intervention.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of Negroid Haven